Discover the history behind Orion's Abakada and acacia trees

ACACIA
Abakada
The ABAKADA NG BATAAN was the beginning reading book
for the children of Bataan after its publication in 1951. It was
the project of the Provincial Government of Bataan during the
administration of former Governor Emilio Ma. Naval. The provincial government spent P5,000.00 for the first edition of the
book. It was distributed to all elementary schools in the province
and became the standard learning and reading material for all
Grade One pupils starting in June 1952.
Felisa Baens, an elementary teacher and native of Orani,
Bataan, wrote the Abakada ng Bataan.
The book remained as the mandatory instructional book
throughout the province until the 1970s. From then on, several
modern and more effective reading materials were used by elementary teachers in place of the Abakada.
Besides writing books and teaching, Felisa Baens also started
a high school in Orani in 1925 with Arcangel dela Fuente as its
first teacher.
Acacia Tree
Orion is famous for its century-old church, the St. Michael The
Archangel Parish, which was built by Dominican friars sometime in 1680s. The said church was partially damaged by an
earthquake in 1852 and reconstruction was started by Frs.
Ramon Rodriguez, Andres Chaveli and Pedro Rodriguez who
were assigned in succession as parish priests of Orion.
It was during this period that the front lawn of the church was
planted with four acacia trees primarily to mark the location of
the church. Former Manila Archbishop Gregorio M. Martinez, a
renowned tree-lover, ordered the planting of acacia trees in front
of all Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines starting in
1874. To him, acacia tree symbolizes long life and strength.
Unfortunately, none of the four acacia trees planted in front
of the Orion church survived the destructive work of the elements and the carelessness of man. During the early stages of
World War II, two trees suffered slightly from incendiary bombs
dropped by Japanese warplanes in the vicinity of the church. The
two other trees were severely damaged during the Liberation period as American forces used their artilleries against Japanese
soldiers posted along the Orion (San Vicente) River. As a final
blow, the widening of the street fronting the church during
Mayor Gabriel L. Manriques administration necessitated the
uprooting of the two surviving acacia trees.
As far as other churches in Bataan are concerned, Pilar has
two century-old acacia trees in front of the Nuestra Senora del
Pilar Church. Abucay has one, located at the entrance of Barangay Laon.
Aa
Make no mistake...
Felisa Baens should not be mistaken to Nieves Baenz-del
Rosario, also of Orani, who authored several books and manuscripts like: Nuestra Senora del
Rosario ng Bataan, Erlinda ng
Bataan, Ang Mangingisda, Busilak, Marysol, Pintuang Bukas,
Mga Kamay na Maliliit na Umaakay, Alamat ng Orani, and
Sarili na Natin ang Daigdig.
Other Acacia Trees

Morong has more than two
old acacia trees around the Our
Lady of the Pillar church.
The Balanga Cathedral,
Samal and Orani churches also
had two acacia trees in their
frontyard but were cut down during the war.
AETAS
Young Aeta boys
Gina Valenton and Perlita Salonga
Aetas of Bataan
The present generation of Aetas
settled in the mountain areas of
Abucay, Bagac, Orani, Hermosa
and Dinalupihan have been provided with formal settlements by
the government. Abucay has
such settlement in Barangay
Bangkal. It is here where the
integration of such cultural minority into the mainstream of
Abukeno life takes place. The
integration started with basic
education, from the primary,
elementary, and up to high
school. Abucay Aetas are more
fortunate because they are living
close to the Bataan State College, formerly the Bataan National Agricultural School, which
is located in the said barangay.
Hermosas Aeta settlement is
called Pastulan Village.
Mayor Raymundo and Vicky Garcia, third from left, attend to Aeta children.
AETAS in Bataan were believed to have migrated from Asia to

the Philippines by using former land bridges some 12,000 to
15,000 years ago. These people are small, about four feet tall,
black-skinned with kinky hair, round eyes and flat noses. They
lived in caves, ate raw food and wore skimpy clothing. Slowly,
these Ita learned to gather wild fruits and edible roots, fish and
hunt with their crude implements. They had no fixed homes and
wandered from place to place in search for food.
There is an Aeta community in Orion. The indigenous people
occupied an area of about 32 hectares in Sitio Bayan-bayanan
(also called Pita), a part of Barangays Bilolo and Gen. Lim.
Rogelio Valerio Salonga is the current tribal leader of some
28 families in Pita. He is the son of Domingo Salonga, a.k.a.
Idon, and Liwayway. Idon, a well-known tribal leader and a
maraksman, acted as point man of the guerilla forces against the
Japanese during the war.
There is an Entrepreneur Volunteer Assistance Program
(EVA) school for the Aetas in Bayan-bayanan. The school began
in 2001 with two teachers in a makeshift building. The Rotary
Club of Orion donated the first concrete building for the school.
The EVA was responsible for the completion of the school. At
present, SY 2005-2006, there are 48 Aetas under four regular
teachers.
Two Aeta women, Gina Valenton and Perlita Salonga, had
complete primary education and finished Midwifery course in
Balanga. They are currently assigned in the said resettlement.
AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURE is one of the important sub-sectors of Orions
economy. This is evident in both land-based agriculture and fishery activities in the municipality. Land-based agriculture is
mostly concentrated on farming. Rice is the primary product
while permanent and commercial crops like mangoes, bananas
and other kinds of fruits come second.
Approximately 3,210 hectares of land of Orion are devoted to
land-based agriculture.
Farming is the dominant occupation of the residents in nearly
all barangays in Orion and even in upland areas like General
Lim, Bilolo, Sabatan and Daan Pare. This cluster of four barangays under the Agrarian Reform Communities of Orion (ARCO)
has a total land area of 5,325.76 hectares, or 81 percent of the
towns total land area.
In 2004, the riceland output of these four barangays reached
3,970 metric tons per hectare. It was equivalent to 43 percent of
the municipal total riceland output.
There are about 465 farmers engaged in mango production in
the ARCO area. The average size of mango farm is five hectares
and is planted with an average of 24 mango trees yielding 25 ka-
ings per tree. All harvested mango fruits are sold and converted
to cash. They are sold locally or exported to neighboring towns
and provinces.
Based on an ARC study, a hectare of farmland planted to 40
mango trees can give an annual income of P269,000.00 as
against the production cost that can reached up to P155,491.00.
Farmers still have a net income of P113,508.00.
Although there is no National Irrigation Administration office
operating in Orion, there is a communal pumping irrigation run
by farmers cooperative in the upland barangays. The irrigation
system serves the 422-hectare of irrigated land in Barangays
General Lim, Bilolo, Sabatan (Acacia, Laon), Daan Pare, San
Vicente and Balut. There is an on-going effort to upgrade the
existing irrigation system so that more agricultural lands will be
served.
Livestock-raising is another important program of the landbased agriculture of Orion. Broilers (89%) are the primary type
of livestock being raised, followed by ducks (7%). Carabaos,
pigs and goats are also raised but in a relatively smaller quantity.
Councilor Edward T. Seeckts, Chair

on Committee on Agriculture in one
of his visits to the Hi-Breed Corn
ARC Related Project in Gen. Lim.
Mayor Raymundo Jr. left photo,

walks through a ricefield. Mangoes
of Orion, top photo, command highprice in the market.
Top photo: Orions poultry and piggery industry
ANGELES, AGUSTIN
Agapito Angeles
Vice Mayor, 1918 - 1919,
1919 - 1921
Cause of Removal
Aproniano Tiambengs unexpected
removal from office was the result of
the killing of then Governor Conrado
Lerma of Pilar by former Board
Member (bokal) Jose Baluyut, a
native of Orion. Agapito Angeles,
meanwhile, remained as vice mayor
until 1921.
Agustin Angeles
Mayor, 1946-1947
1947-1951
4
ANGELES, Agapito
AGAPITO ANGELES was Orions vice mayor from 1918-1919
and 1919-1921. He served during the administration of Mayors
Aproniano Tiambeng and Simeon Rodriguez.
Angeles of Barangay Wakas ran for the position of Vice
Mayor in 1918 together with mayoralty aspirant Aproniano
Tiambeng of Bagumbayan. Both of them won against the tandem of incumbent town officials Donato Calimbas and Nicasio
Baluyut. Angeles served from 1918 until 1919. Mayor Tiambeng, on the other hand, was not able to complete his two-year
term after he was unceremoniously removed from office by acting Governor Pedro Rich. The governor also placed Orion under
military control. It resulted from the ensuing violent confrontations between Orion and Pilar residents after one Jose Baluyut of
Orion shot to death former Governor Conrado Lerma, a native
of Pilar.
To end the strife, Governor Rich suspended Mayor Tiambeng and Pilar Mayor Leandro Aguinaldo who were believed to
have instigated the violent clashes between the residents of both
towns. Local administration of Orion and Pilar was placed under appointed Mayor Simeon Rodriguez (former Orion mayor
from 1905-1907, 1907-1909) who at that time was already a resident of Wakas, Pilar.
Vice Mayor Agapito Angeles was allowed to finish his term
until 1919. And since no election was held in Orion that year, he
was allowed to continue his term as vice mayor of Orion from
1919 to 1921. He retired from politics after his second term.
ANGELES, Agustin
AGUSTIN ANGELES was the 18th mayor of Orion. He initially served as an appointed town executive from 1946 to 1947.
He was elected to the same position in 1947 and served until
1951. He was a municipal councilor in 1923 and vice mayor in
1925. His father, Mariano Angeles, served as the fourth mayor
of Orion (1909-1910, 1910-1912).
Born in Wakas, Angeles was only 27 years old when he was
elected as town councilor of Orion in 1923 during the administration of Mayor Fausto Paguio, a famous musician who became the 11th mayor of Orion.
During the 1925 local elections, Angeles was chosen as the
runningmate of mayoralty aspirant Manuel R. Santos. The latter
defeated incumbent Mayor Paguio while Angeles won over incumbent Vice Mayor Francisco Calimbas, who also served as
the fifth mayor of Orion (1912-1914).
Manuel Santos and Angeles ran for re-election in 1927. Angeles, however, was defeated by the more seasoned politician,
Simeon Rodriguez (elected twice as mayor of Orion from 19051907 and 1907-1909).
ANGELES, MARIANO
Angeles suffered another loss against the same Rodriguez in

1929.
Despite the losses, Angeles was able to maintain his stature as
an influential political leader in Orion even after World War II.
It was the reason why acting Bataan Governor Joaquin J. Linao
appointed him as the 18th mayor of Orion in 1946. He replaced
Mayor Emiliano Navarro (17th mayor of Orion, 1945-1946) who
was also appointed by former acting Governor Teodoro
Camacho.
In 1947, when the first local election was held, Angeles with
his runningmate Pedro Pangilinan ran for the same position. He
defeated Arsenio Joco at the polls. Pangilinan also won as vice
mayor.
During the 1951 elections, Angeles accepted the challenge of
former Mayor Manuel R. Santos. It was a close battle between
an incumbent mayor and a former mayor with Santos winning
over Angeles.
Villa Angeles, the first subdivision in

Orion, was established by Mayor
Ricardo T. Angeles in the 1960s.
Twelve years later, the community
became a regular barangay.
ANGELES, Mariano
MARIANO ANGELES was the 4th mayor of Orion. He served
from 1909 to 1910. He was re-elected in 1910 and served until
1912.
Angeles, a rich landowner of Barangay Wakas, was a newcomer in the political scene when he ran for mayor in 1909. It
was the most opportune time as the incumbent mayor, Simeon
Rodriguez of Bantan, was not qualified to seek a third term after
transferring residence to Wakas, Pilar. With the support of
Mayor Rodriguez, Angeles defeated Francisco Urquisa, a twotime vice mayor. Angeles vice mayor was Pedro Hipolito.
The immense popularity of Angeles and Hipolito made it possible for them to seek re-election in 1909. They ran unopposed
and continued to serve until 1912. They were succeeded by new
elected officials, Francisco Calimbas and Francisco Urquisa as
mayor and vice mayor.
Mariano Angeles
Mayor, 1909 - 1910
1910 - 1912
ANGELES, RICARDO T.
Ricardo T. Angeles
was married to the late Zoe Empaynado of Tarlac with whom he had
four children: Reynaldo, Zenaida,
Ruditto and Rod
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
From 1963 to 1967, Mayor Ricardo Angeles was able to open
the Puting Buhangin, Gen. Lim
and Capunitan Primary Schools.
He also completed the Orion
Municipal Health Center beside
the municipal building and initiated the Orion Municipal Irrigation Project.
WAR EXPLOITS
During the war, 3Lt. Ricardo
Angeles was assigned in Samar
and later on in Cagayan de Oro
City where he and the other soldiers of the 91st Division fought
the Japanese Army. After the
Fall of Bataan, the Mindanao
Force also surrendered. Angeles was taken to the concentration camps in Iligan City where
he was incarcerated. Six months
later, he was sent to Capas,
Tarlac where he was again
jailed until the early months of
1943. After his release, he immediately joined the East Central Luzon Guerilla Unit.
RICARDO TIANGCO ANGELES (1917- ) was Orions 22nd

mayor. He served from 1963 to 1967.
Angeles was born in Orion on February 21, 1917. His parents
both worked in the fields to make both ends meet. He has just
turned 21 years old and still in high school when he answered the
governments call for all male citizens of his age to undertake the
mandatory five and a half months military training. It was part of the
plan of General Douglas MacArthur to build a national defense system that would make any potential enemy think twice about invading the Philippines. Angeles trained in one of the training camps in
Manila.
When the Japanese attacked Hawaii and the Philippines in December 1941, World War II had begun. Angeles became an integral
part of that war and was assigned with the 91st Division. He held
the rank of 3rd lieutenant. In Mindanao, he led a platoon of soldiers
fighting the Japanese as they advanced into the inner sanctum of
Misamis Oriental. He too surrendered and participated in another
infamous Death March from Cagayan de Oro City to Iligan City.
After a month, he was also sent and incarcerated in Capas, Tarlac. He was released along with other Filipino prisoners-of-war after nearly a year of incarceration. Immediately, he joined the guerilla
movement. He donned the uniform of the Army of the United
States (AUS) during the Liberation.
He received the rank of First Lieutenant when he was sent to Japan as part of the AUS peacekeeping force. He left the Army in
1949 but refused to become an American citizen. Instead, he enrolled at the Araneta University as a US government scholar and
completed his Agricultural Engineering course in 1953. He was employed as a government agricultural engineer and assigned at the
Food Terminal Inc. in Bicutan, Taguig City.
He entered the political scene in 1963 by running for mayor of
Orion. In addition to his war records and commanding personality,
Angeles proved to be better prepared than his rival, former Councilor Bernardo Pizarro of Daan Bilolo. The election resulted in a
landslide victory for Angeles. His runningmate, Ernesto Pascual
however, lost to Felizardo Bernabe. Both officials served until 1967.
Newcomer Gabriel L. Manrique of Barangay Daan Bago challenged Angeles leadership during the 1967 elections. Angeles lost
by a slim margin. His runningmate, Ernesto Pascual, triumphed over
Manriques candidate Felizardo Bernabe.
It was Vice Mayor Ernesto Pascual who challenged the leadership of incumbent Mayor Manrique in 1971. The bid was unsuccessful.
In 1980, Angeles ran against Manrique but it was unsuccessful.
Manrique got 7,852 votes as against Angeles 4,469. Angeles runningmate, Felizardo Bernabe, also lost to incumbent vice mayor, Dr.
Antonio H. Mariano. Despite the loss, Angeles remained as one of
the acknowledged leaders in Orion and a vocal critic of Mayor
Manrique.
ARELLANO
Arellano
MAP OF ORION
ARELLANO is a barangay in the town proper of Orion. It was

one of the populated residential areas comprising the old Poblacion. Prior to its recognition as a regular barangay, the community was then known as Barangay de Hipolito dela Cruz, in
honor of the first cabeza de barangay of the place.
Mayor Francisco Urquisa, the sixth mayor of Orion, initiated
the creation of Arellano into a regular barangay in 1915 to answer the call of Governor Maximino delos Reyes (1912-1916)
for the creation of new barangays in the province. Barangay de
Hipolito dela Cruz, later known as Tangaran, was changed to
Arellano.
The name Arellano was used in honor of its most illustrious
native, Cayetano Arellano, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court (1901-1913).
Arellano has a land area of 3.58 hectares, the second smallest
barangay in Orion. It is presently inhabited by 760 residents.
The barangay is bounded on the north by Balagtas, on the south
by San Vicente River, on the east by Bagumbayan, and on the
west by San Vicente.
The barangay has a day care center and hosts the legislative
building (Sangguniang Bayan). It will also be the proposed site
of the Justice Hall to be named after Chief Justice Cayetano
Arellano.
Barangay hall of Arellano
Arellano
Area: 3.58 hectares
Population: 714 (2000 Census)
Barangayhood: 1915
Fiesta: May 8
Patron: St. Michael Archangel
River: San Vicente Creek
Points of Interest:
Rural Health Unit building
Sangguniang Barangay
Manuel Y. Garcia Jr.
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Ricky M. Belmonte
Carlito P. Calimbas
Domingo C. Enriquez
Josefina B. del Rosario
Jaime R. Velasco Jr.
Remegio G. Aguilar
Marcelo M. Mangubat
Jennylyn V. Velasco (SK)
Former Punong Barangay:
Remegio Rodriguez
Pedro Bantog
Romy Flores
Alfredo Cruz
1994-1997
Rick Flores
1997-2002
ARELLANO, CAYETANO S.
Cayetano Arellano
First Chief Justice
Supreme Court (1901-1913)
Cayetano Arellanos
associate justices:
Manuel Araullo
Gregorio Araneta
Ambrosio R. Bautista
Julio Llorente
In recognition of Cayetano
Arellanos achievements:
* Barangay Arellano in Orion
was named after him.
* A school in Manila, was
named Arellano High School.
* Another school in Bataan was
called Arellano Memorial
Bataan High School, now
called Bataan National High
School.
* A law school in Pasay City
was named Arellano University Law School in 1938.
* An elementary school in Orion
was named Cayetano Arellano
Memorial Elementary School,
also known as Orion Elementary
School.
* A monument of Arellano was
built in front of the Orion plaza,
beside the monument of Dr.
Jose Rizal.
CAYETANO SIMPLICIO LONZON ARELLANO (1847-1920)

was a native of Orion who became the first Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court.
Arellano was born in Orion to parents Servando Arellano, (a
Spaniard who was the brother of Fr. Cayetano Arellano, onetime parish priest of Orion) and Crisfora Lonzon. After completing his primary education in Bataan, he enrolled at the Colegio
de San Juan de Letran in Manila as a working student. After high
school, he transferred to the University of Santo Tomas where he
finished his Bachelors degrees in Philosophy (1862) and Theology (1867). He continued his studies and finished Law in 1876.
It was in 1886 when he was named as a substitute minor
judge (Magistrado Suplente) while finishing his Theology
course. After a few years, he became a Magistrado Suplente dela
Audencia Territorial de Manila. He was also elected as city
councilor of Manila in 1877. He also taught Civil Code at UST.
Arellano was offered the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs by President Emilio Aguinaldo on July 15, 1898. He declined the offer since he was in sympathy with the Americans.
Apolinario Mabini took over the position.
When the draft of the new Constitution was presented for discussion, it was Arellano who led a group objecting to the provision making Catholicism as the religion of the State. To him, the
State should recognize the freedom and equality of all religion,
as well as the separation of the Church and State. Arellanos
group won by one vote.On January 21, 1899, Aguinaldo promulgated the so-called Malolos Constitution.
In 1901 when the Philippine Commission was established by
the Americans, Arellano was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1904, US President Theodore Roosevelt also
appointed him to represent the US to the Philippines. He was
also honored with a Doctor of Laws degree by the University of
Yale. Ten years later, the University of the Philippines gave him
the same honor for his competence and dedication.
Justice Arellano retired in 1913 and died on December 23,
1920.
BACANI, TEODORO Bishop

Bishop TEODORO CRUZ BACANI was the former Bishop of Novaliches. At one time, he served as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila.
His mother, Consolacion Hernandez Cruz, was a native of Orion.
Barangay Tuyo, in Balanga, was the birthplace of Bishop Bacani. His father was Engr. Teodoro T. Bacani of San Isidro,
Guagua, Pampanga while his mother was an Orion beauty, one of
the most sought-after Reyna Elenas in many Santacruzans in the
province during her time.
Bishop Bacani was raised in Bulacan but completed his elementary and high school education in Manila. During summer vacation,
Bishop Bacani spent at least a month every year in Orion to be with
his grandparents, Pedro Cruz and Severina Hernandez, both natives
of Calungusan. After completing his courses in Philosophy and
Theology, he was ordained in the Sacred Priesthood and in the
Episcopacy.
While serving as Bishop of Novaliches, he gained national
prominence as spiritual director of the El Shaddai, together with
Evangelist Mike Velarde. He is currently assigned at the San Carlos
Seminary.
Bishop Bacani once wrote: ...I loved to spend about one month
every year, during summer vacation, in Calungusan with my grandparents. Since my uncle and his other surviving sister were childless, we were the only grandchildren of my grandparents. Because
of this, they were very good to us and never even once threatened
us with corporal punishment or scolded us. Thus, I loved to stay
there even though my maternal grandparents were much poorer
than my fathers parents in San Isidro, Guagua, Pampanga where I
used to spend the other half of my summer vacation.
Those were times when I did not mind very much walking a
kilometer to Bantan or one and a half kilometers to Camachile to
visit relatives. The alternative during my elementary days was a
karetela ride which was not always available. Sometimes, I would
take the short cut to Camachile by walking through the ricefields
especially when the crop had already been harvested.
The fields yielded frogs for sinampalukang palaka. But one of
these treks almost probed fatal to me as I almost stepped on a
snake which reacted to my panic by raising itself upright and lunging forward, but luckily not towards me.
The great sports during those day were softball and volleyball.
Calungusan had its softball and volleyball teams. Exhibition or
tournament matches were real barrio events.
During my elementary days, there was no electricity yet in the
barrios of Orion.The evenings were dark. There were not even
many radios and certainly no television. Recreation in the evening
was a card game called talpak which was illegal but tolerated.
Our preferred swimming place was the sea in Camachile. The
images of pagodas to honor their patron saint and the Cross of May
are still fresh in my mind. And when it was low tide, we could pick
up oysters and catch crabs for our supper. These are some of my
nostalgic memories of Orion.
Bb
Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani, DD, STD
Most Reverend
Teodoro C. Bacani, DD, STD
- Born in Balanga in January
1938 to parent Teodoro Bacani and Consolacion Cruz.
- Studied priesthood at the San
Jose Seminary (Ateneo)
- Finished Doctorate degree in
Theology in Rome
- Taught in San Carlos
Seminary, Makati
- Parish priest in Pampanga
and Zambales.
- Ordained Bishop in 1985
- Former parish priest of Paco
(San Fernando de Dilao)
- Former Auxiliary Bishop
of Manila
- Former Commissioner of the
Constitutional Convention
representing the religious
community
- Former District Bishop of
Caloocan City
- Former Bishop of Novaliches
- Spiritual director of El Shaddai
BAGUMBAYAN
Bagumbayan
Area: 3.88 hectares
Population: 1,431 (2000 Census)
Barangayhood: 1928
Fiesta: May 8/December 27
San Juan Evangelista
River: San Vicente River
Sanguniang Barangay
Armando D. Nava
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Ismael Villegas
Arnold Estrella
Rogelio Jimena
Renato Mateo
Leonardo Fernandez Jr.
Margarita Reyes
Leonardo Canoy
Reynan Jimena (SK)
BAGUMBAYAN is the barangay closest to Arellano. It grew

out of the former narrow river bank of the San Vicente River and
Baa Creek. The accretion occurred after the San Vicente River
took a southward course before finding its way into the Manila
Bay. Some enterprising residents took the opportunity and laid
claim to the so-called public land. In time, people filled up the
new land mass and established residence in the area.
It was former Governor Gregorio Quicho who initiated the
creation of Bagumbayan and other barangays in 1928. Upon
creation, it took the name Bagumbayan, which literally means a
new community.
The barangay is bounded on the north by Balut, on the south
by Lati, on the east by Daan Bago and on the west by Arellano.
It has an area of 3.88 hectares, the third smallest in Orion. As per
2000 Census, Bagumbayan has 1,431 residents.
Some of the well-known residents of Bagumbayan are former
board member Ruperto Mariano, former Mayor Antonio H.
Mariano, former Vice Mayor Alejo Candido.
Bagumbayan
MAP OF ORION
Former Punong Barangay

Ponciano Canoy
Cayetano Alarcon
Alfonso Trajano
Romeo Macalinao Sr.
Eddie Cruz
Federico Castro
Pedro Mateo
Perlita Nacu
Raul Quezon
Tomas Baluyot
Emiliano Gomez
Marcial Lozame
Antonio Candido
10
Top photo, interior of Bagumbayan: bottom photos, barangay hall

and Ruperto Mariano Street.
BALAGTAS
BALAGTAS, formerly a vast ricefield and fishpond area, is the
newest economic center of Orion. At present, the barangay
plays host to the Orion Public Market, big commercial centers
such as Vercons, Freds Mart, Bataan Commercial Enterprises,
Village Savings Bank, Petron and Total gasoline stations, Evergreen Memorial Park, Philippine Long Distance Telephone
Company and Orion Water District.
Balagtas was named after Francisco Balagtas, the Prince of
Filipino poets and was established as a regular barangay on February 4, 1972.
The barangay has a total land area of 35.62 hectares and has a
population of 1,263 as per 2006 Census
Balagtas
Area: 35.62 hectares
Barangayhood: February 4, 1972
Fiesta: May 8 and December 3
St. Francis Xavier
River: Sto. Domingo Creek
School: Orion Natl High School
Places of Interest:
Orion Public Market
Orion Natl High School
Evergreen Memorial Park
Sanguniang Barangay
Manuel N. Quezon
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Marino D. Catalan
Anthony C. Crisostomo
Federico C. Dabu
Roberto U. Bagtas
Gil F. Macatangay
Eduardo R. Sabino
Perlita S. Macaspac
Gladys N. Angeles (SK)
Former Barangay Captains
Ramon Villazor
Edong Reyes
Nilo Villazor
Virgilio Catalan
Aurora Santiago
New structures dot the length of Barangay Balagtas

Balagtas
Balagtas is bounded on the north by Sto. Domingo, on the

south by San Vicente, and Arellano, on the east by Sto. Domingo
and Balut, and on the west by Sto. Domingo and San Vicente.
The barangay was initially an agricultural area. It was transformed into a residential community in the 1970s with the opening of Mel-Luz Subdivision. And as soon as the public market
was built in the barangay in 1997, the economy of Balagtas
flourished tremendously.
The barangays panorama is changing as additional concrete
and steel structures are built in the area.
MAP OF ORION
11
BALMASEDA, JULIAN CRUZ
Julian Cruz Balmaseda
Balmasedas outstanding
literary works
Poems
Sa Bayan ni Plaridel (1913)
Ang Piso ni Anita (1928)
Plays/Zarzuela
Sa Bunganga ng Pating (1921)
Sa Pinto ng Langit (1921)
Ang Tala sa Kabundukan (1921)
Sankuwaltang Abaka (1922)
Sino Ba Kayo? (1942)
Palabas ni Suwan (1943)
12
BALMASEDA, Julian Cruz

JULIAN CRUZ BALMASEDA (1885-1947) was a prolific playwright and poet from San Vicente, Orion whose plays and other
writings won the hearts of the literary critics and even the so-called
bakya crowd. He was in the company of other noted writers like
Maximino delos Reyes, Lope K. Santos and Severino Reyes.
Balmaseda was born on January 28, 1885. He was the fifth
child of Rufino Cruz Balmaseda and Simona Francisco. He finished his primary education in Bacoor, Cavite. He spent two years
as a student of now Bataan National High School but finished his
secondary education in Cavite. He completed his Bachelor of Arts
degree from the Escuela de Derecho in Manila.
He became a staff member of Balagtas, the newspaper of the
Labor Union (Unyon ng mga Manggagawa) in 1913. He also became the second president of Aklatan ng Bayan, a language and
literary organization which he co-founded. He was also a regular
columnist of the Alitaptap Magasin under the pseudonym Alpahol.
His columns were written in poetry style. Famous poet and columnist Sisong Kantanod of Balita, a national tabloid, merely copied
Balmasedas style.
The response of the public on Balmasedas play, Isang Kuwaltang Abaka (1922), was tremendous. Critics also hailed his other
literary works which include short stories, essays and poems.
Balmasedas popularity came at the most unexpected time during the Japanese Occupation. It was the period when the writers
hands were tied and he could barely move them enough to portray
or depict harless subjects. Quite surprisingly, the Japanese encouraged the development of the Tagalog language and gave it an impetus never witnessed during the American period. The Japanese
helped the Filipino writers rediscover the beauty of the native language.
Furthermore, they encouraged several groups of college actors
to form cultural groups, the most notable of which was the Dramatic Philippines. Under the groups management and direction,
plays like Applesauce, Golden Boy, Cyrano de Bergerac, Julius
Ceasar, The Husband of Mrs. Cruz, Sa Pula Sa Puti, Seven Keys to
Bad Fate and Passion Play were presented and won the hearts of
the viewing public.
Some of the famous plays written by Balmaseda were Sa Bunganga ng Pating (1921), Sa Pinto ng Langit (1921), Ang Tala sa
Kabundukan (1921), Sankuwaltang Abaka (1922), Sino Ba Kayo?
(comedy, 1942) and Palabas ni Suwan (1943). These plays are still
being staged by various cultural groups up to the present time.
He also wrote several poems. Ang Piso ni Anita, a poem about
thrift had earned him the recognition as a serious poet. A long
poem, Sa Bayan ni Plaridel, was published by Balmaseda in 1913.
It was his tribute to a famous writer and reform activist Marcelo H.
del Pilar.
Orions literary genius passed away on September 18, 1947.
BALTAZAR, FRANCISCO C.
BALTAZAR, Francisca P.
FRANCISCA PERRERA BALTAZAR was the mother of Atty. Efren
Baltazar Pascual, the 24th governor of Bataan (1972-1986). She was one
of the granddaughters of Francisco Baltazar and Juana Tiambeng.
Francisca was born in Barangay Wakas, Orion on November 1, 1904
to parents Luis Baltazar (Orion mayor, 1903-1905) and Dionisia Perrera
of Barangay Wawa. In addition to her high status in society, Francisca
was also known for her exquisite beauty and charm. It was no accident
when a very promising physician from Orani, Dr. Francisco Pascual, fell
in love with her. The two got married in Orion, in a ceremony officiated
by Fr. Primitivo Baltazar (Franciscas uncle).
The Pascual-Baltazar union produced several children, all born in
Orani. They include Benjamin (engineer), Efren (lawyer), Francisco Jr.
(doctor). Benjamin served as mayor of Orani and Bataan board member.
Efren also served as mayor of Orani, then vice-governor and lastly governor of Bataan.
Francisca passed away on August 1, 1993.
BALTAZAR, Francisco C.
FRANCISCO DELA CRUZ BALTAZAR (1788-1862) is the author of the much-acclaimed Tagalog epic Florante at Laura.
Baltazar was born in Bigaa, Bulacan on April 2, 1788 to parents
Juan Baltazar and Juana dela Cruz. He was baptized on April 3 of
the same year. It is said that he learned to write poetry from Jose
dela Cruz (Huseng Sisiw), one of the most famous poets of Tondo,
Manila. Later, he turned to be more famous than his former mentor.
In 1835, Baltazar moved to Pandacan where he met Maria Asuncion Rivera who became his inspiration in writing the Florante at
Laura epic. He wrote the book while serving time in prison as a result of a criminal complaint filed against him by one Mariano
Capuli, a rival suitor. It was only after his release from jail did he
publish the book.
In 1840, he became an auxiliary to the residential judge of
Balanga and clerk to Don Victor Figueroa. It was in Orion that he
became involved in the fight for freedom. He joined a secret society
of rebels and served as a major lieutenant. He met and later married
a wealthy mestiza lady from Daan Bilolo, Juana Tiambeng, the
daughter of Don Juan Tiambeng and Doa Dominga Rodriguez. His
wife was said to have financed the publication of Florante at Laura.
The civil wedding was solemnized by Fr. Cayetano Arellano (an
uncle of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cayetano L. Arellano).
The Baltazar couple had 11 children: five boys and six girls
named Isabel, Silveria, Victor, Ceferino and Josefa, to name a few.
Though a Bulakeo, it was in Bataan where he received his inspiration in writing his masterpieces: Mahomet at Constanza
(1841), Almanzor y Rosalina, Orosoman at Zafira, Don Nuno y Zelinda, La India Elegante y el Negrito Amante (a sonnet), Hatol Hari
Kaya (a kundiman), Parangal sa Isang Binibining Ikakasal..
Francisco Baltazar
Author
Florante at Laura
Balagtas Day
To honor Francisco Baltazar,

Balagtas Day was being celebrated as a special public holiday in Orion starting on April 2,
1959.
13
BALTAZAR, JOSE L.
Peoples Hero
Francisco Baltazar had a son
named Victor Baltazar who
formed the Katipunan unit in
Orion in 1896 or during the last
years of Spanish domination in
the Philippines. After freeing the
town from the Spaniards, he
was recognized as a peoples
hero in Orion.
Jose L. Baltazar
Mayor, 1931-1934
Balagtas grandson
Jose Baltazar was a grandson of
Francisco Baltazar. His father,
Ceferino, was the fifth child of
Baltazar and Juana Tiambeng.
14
(a poem) Paalam sa Iyo (a song), Rodolfo at Rosamunda (a

comedy), Pagpupuri kay Isabel II, Reyna sa Espaa (poems),
Auredato y Astrone (a comedy), Nudo Gordiano (a comedy), Abdal y Miserena (a comedy), Clara Belmori (a comedy).
Baltazar also published his El Ensayo de Gramatica HispaoTagala in 1878.
The Hymno de San Miguel, then known as Pagpupuri kay
San Miguel (another poem by Balagtas translated into a song) is
still being sung in the Roman Catholic Church on special occasions.
Baltazar was also known as Francisco Balagtas, in recognition for being the prince of Tagalog poets. Balagtas was only
an assumed name. It was the surname of a family living in Manila where Francisco served as a houseboy.
While residing in Orion, Francisco was jailed for the second
time for cutting the hair of his housemaid. The victim sued in
court and demanded renumeration. Baltazar paid damages by
selling their lands and escaped jail term. This made the family
suffered financially. He continued writing poetry until his death
in Orion in 1862 at the age of 74.
BALTAZAR, Jose L.
JOSE LONZON BALTAZAR (1886-1967) was the 13th mayor
of Orion. Together with Vice Mayor Mariano Mejia, he served
from 1931 to 1934. He was the younger brother of former Orion
Mayor Luis Baltazar (1903-1905) and Fr. Primitivo Baltazar, the
first native of Orion to become a parish priest of St. Michael The
Archangel Parish starting in 1904.
Baltazar, a long-time resident of Barangay San Vicente, was
actually born in Wakas on October 15, 1886. His parents were
Ceferino Baltazar and Ciriaca Lonzon. After spending a year at
the Ateneo de Manila where he was taking up Commerce, he quit
his studies and married Ceferina Baluyut, also from Orion. They
had eight children: Ligaya, Marcela, Cesar, Ciriaca, Juan,
Aurora, Jose Jr. and Nestor.
He was already 41 years old when he entered the political
scene in Orion. He ran for a councilor seat in 1927 and easily got
elected together with re-electionist Mayor Manuel R. Santos.
Both of them were re-elected in 1929. In 1931, it was Mayor
Santos who encouraged Baltazar to run for mayor. The latter took
the challenge and easily defeated his rival, former Mayor Fausto
Paguio.
Despite a lackluster performance during his term, Baltazar
still aspired to become the first Commonwealth mayor of Orion
during the 1934 local elections. Unfortunately, he lost to a newcomer politician, Valeriano American Boy Soriano of Daan
Bilolo.
Despite the defeat, Baltazar remained a political stalwart in
Orion until his death on January 29, 1967.
BALTAZAR, PRIMITIVO Fr.

BALTAZAR, Luis L.
LUIS LONZON BALTAZAR of Barangay Wakas was one of the
grandsons of Francisco Baltazar and Juana Tiambeng. He was the
second mayor of Orion and at the same time, the first elected presidente actual (municipal mayor). His term was from 1903 to
1905.
Baltazar was the eldest son of Ceferino Baltazar (son of Francisco Baltazar) and Ciriaca Lonzon (first cousin of Cayetano
Arellano). There was paucity on other details of Baltazars personal life. But it is worth mentioning that he was acknowledged as
a Revolutionary officer during the early part of the FilipinoAmerican War (1898-1900). Just like his uncle Victor Baltazar,
Luis also held the rank of an Army lieutenant. While fighting the
American troops in Orion, he befriended then Major Manuel L.
Quezon when the latter was assigned as the top Philippine Army
officer in Bataan. He was also among those Filipino rebels who
surrendered in October 1900 to American Captain John Gouldman
(Bataan governor, 1901-1903).
The prominence of the family name Baltazar came in handy
when Luis ran for mayor of Orion in 1903. He won over incumbent Mayor Vicente Rodriguez through acclamation. He was immediately proclaimed as the new presidente actual (mayor) in the
town plaza, in front of the people who participated in the election.
The said election was the first formal election held during the
American regime which made Baltazar as the first elected mayor
of Orion since 1901.
After serving Orion for two years, Baltazar was employed as
clerk of court in Balanga.
Luis L. Baltazar, first elected mayor

of Orion (1903-1905). He replaced
Vicente Rodriguez who was appointed mayor by the Americans in
1901.
Luis Baltazar
was married to Dionisia Perrera of
Wawa, Orion. Their children were
Francisca, Olimpia, Emilio, Francisco, Ceferino and Antonio.
Francisca, the eldest child, was the
mother of Efren Baltazar Pascual,
the 24th governor of Bataan. Luis
was the older brother of Jose Baltazar who served as the 13th mayor
of Orion.
BALTAZAR, Primitivo Fr.

FR. PRIMITIVO LONZON BALTAZAR (1871-1942) was the
first native of Orion to be assigned as parish priest of St. Michael
The Archangel Parish. He administered the church from 1904 to
1940.
Fr. Baltazar, a grandson of Francisco Baltazar, was born in
Barangay Wakas, Orion in 1871. His parents were Ceferino Baltazar and Ciriaca Lonzon. Two of his brothers, Luis and Jose, became the 2nd and 13th mayor of Orion, respectively.
Padre Tibong, as he was more popularly known, completed his
studies of Licentiate in Canon Law at the UST Central Seminary
and was ordained as a priest in 1896. He was initially assigned as
a parochial vicar in Binondo, Manila before becoming the parish
priest of Orion in 1904.
During his 34-year stint in Orion and Limay, Fr. Baltazar was
noted for his honesty, charitable and philanthropic deeds. He supported the education of many Bataeos who became successful
professionals. He retired in 1940.
During the Japanese Occupation, he and the majority of the Baltazar clan evacuated to Bulacan. He died in Hagonoy in April 1942.
Father Tibong Baltazar also

served as parish priest of Limay
after its recognition as a regular
town of Bataan in 1917.
15
BALTAZAR, VICTOR T.
Victor Baltazar
Victor T. Baltazar was married

and among his children were
Petronila, Celedonia, Josefa and
Vicenta.
1898 Local Revolution

On May 29, 1898 the same day
Orion was liberated, Pilar rebels
led by Gregorio Paguio also succeeded in freeing the said town
from Spanish domination. The
Nuestra Senora del Pilar Church
and the adjoining convent, however, were burned down to the
ground before the casadores
and guardia civiles yielded to the
rebels.
In Balanga, General Domingo
Alonzo and his group of rebels
also attacked the Spaniards in
Balanga. But they had a hard
time in defeating the Spaniards
who had taken refuge inside the
St. Joseph Church (now called
Balanga Cathedral).
Abucay and Samal rebels
also revolted against the Spaniards that same day.
16
VICTOR TIAMBENG BALTAZAR was one of the more prominent sons of Francisco Baltazar and Juana Tiambeng. He was the
one who organized and led the local Katipunan unit in Orion in
the revolt against the Spaniards in 1898.
Baltazar, a native of Lati, Orion, joined a Katipunan unit in
Manila in 1896. Although based in Calle Sacristy, now Ongpin,
he crossed Manila Bay many times to recruit men in Orion to join
the secret organization. It surprised him to realize that two years
earlier, one Teodoro Barcarse of Mariveles already formed another rebel organization in the municipality and many of his recruits have been trained in hand-to-hand fighting by one Urbano
de Guzman. Even De Guzman did not know that the recruits
would one day constitute the fighting men of the revolution
against the Spaniards.
It should be mentioned that Tiburcio de Leon from Bulacan
was the one who suggested to Baltazar that his men be formally
affiliated to the national organization. After the formal enlistment
to the Katipunan, Baltazar was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He called his unit Dampulan because of their dyed sinamay
clothes and kundiman trousers.
At around 8 oclock in the morning of May 29, 1898, the hostilities between the Katipuneros and Spaniards in Bataan started.
The Dampulan unit came down from the forest of Bilolo, Daan
Pare, and Puting Buhangin and surrounded the church and convent of St. Michael Parish where the cuartel was situated. But
Baltazars men could not approach the buildings because of the
armed Spanish soldiers guarding the place.
Organizing themselves, the rebels marched towards Pulta
(Daan Pare) where they encountered the troops of Spanish Lieutenant Gomez who were returning to Orion after surveying Limay, then a distant barrio of Orion. Despite the big discrepancy
in number (22 Spanish infantrymen and a few guardia civil
against a thousand rebels), the battle in Daan Pare still lasted for
five hours. The Spaniards only surrendered after they had used
up their ammunition.
The victorious rebels returned to the church vicinity where
they kept vigil through the night while continuously asking Frs.
Ulpiano Herrero and Julian Misol, as well as the remaining Spanish and Filipino soldiers to surrender. In the morning of May 30,
the priests came down from the tower of the church and with
them descended the Spanish soldiers carrying a white flag.
Informed of the difficulty being encountered by General Domingo Alonzo and his men in defeating the Spaniards in Balanga,
Lt. Victor Baltazar took his two Spanish priest-prisoners to the
capital town to facilitate the surrender of the Spaniards who had
taken refuge inside the St. Joseph Church (now called Balanga
Cathedral). Surprisingly, the two priests from Orion were able to
persuade the Spaniards to surrender and bloodshed was minimized.
1898 Philippine Revolution

Here is an insight into the way our heroes both known and unknown fought against
the Spaniards over a century ago. The following are instructions from General Emilio
Aguinaldo on how to launch a surprise attack on the enemy
...Let the attack be a surprise, making use of bolos, daggers, and clubs, so as to avoid
as many casualties as possible, because if the attack would be made with rifle, the enemy
would begin to fire at long distance from the town and it is easy to see that the same
would not be taken quickly in that event. Therefore, surprise is better, and none will be engaged in it but those of the town itself, in the following manner:
Convene inhabitants of the town, in number equal to the fourth part of that of the Spaniards, and divide them into platoons equal also to in number to the posts or barracks of
the same. Besides this, let there be five or six men, previously instructed who will enter
two at a time into the barracks, carrying with them presents for the commanders under the
pretext of asking a pass or of denouncing several revolutionists and diverting them by
such means.
Before all this is done, fix about an hour, say 12 oclock daytime, and instantaneously
and simultaneously let the attack begin. Apart from all this, let there be in the same way
persons charged with dissuading the people of the town from giving assistance which they
might feel like extending to their brethren engaged in battle. Direct them to call out in a
loud voice to the people not to be afraid, and other words that may serve to cheer their
hearts and stimulate their courage.
Endeavor to secure the sentinels and commanders; if they will not surrender, kill
them. Also, secure their armories, and when this is done, the arms found there will be
taken by our men. Those who are to fight, or to help those who previously entered the
barracks, should look out well, and charge those who carried the presents, that they shall
under no circumstances take a rifle; bolos are preferable in hand-to-hand conflict while
they are mixed together. At all parts, they will use but the bolo and will be merciful to our
compatriots, the native Filipino soldiers, persuading them to unite with us, shouting in a
loud voice the words The Filipinos are not enemies, and victory will be almost certain; on
the contrary, if timidity should prevail, nothing will be accomplished; but Filipinos are far
from being of a cowardly nature when defense of their country is in question.
In view of this, I entertain the hope that you will not allow the Spanish government to
continue any longer, nor allow them to fortify and renew their courage. I repeat, carry this
out in a short time, and if you obey me, it is advisable that the 10th of this month shall not
go before they are prevented from constructing more entrenchments, as mentioned
above. Families should not leave their respective houses, but dig holes where they can
take refuge from the bullets and bury their money in the grounds so it may not be discovered.
Brothers, take courage, for in 20 minutes, the battle will be over and the Spaniards will
have surrendered, if you allow the methods I have described above, and such others as
may appear to you to be conducive to final success; also we shall probably have no casualties.
By order of
General Emilio Aguinaldo
17
BALUT
Balut
MAP OF ORION
Balut barangay hall

Balut
Barangayhood: 1928
Fiesta: May 8
River: San Vicente (Orion) River
Baa Creek
Places of Interest:
Ormok, ricefields, fishponds
Felipe N. Villegas Jr.
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Manuel V. de Leon Sr.
Roberto G. Navarro
Ferdinand V. Oria
Elenita L. Phudpod
Efren S. Reyes
Corazon L. Bautista
Constantino C. Perez
Rodel H. Cruz (SK)
Omar Valenzuela
Agong Villegas
Elegio Villegas
Antonio Pahudpud
Cesar Isidro
18
BALUT was the second coastal area in Orion where the Spaniards discovered a scattered community of early Malay settlers.
It turned out that as early as the 1500s, the place was already a
busy trading post just like Barangay Calungusan and Sto. Domingo. Cascos laden with agricultural products crowded the
mouth of San Vicente River where Balut was situated. At that
time, Balut was known as Atlag. Most of the early Balut inhabitants were fishermen but knew more about the barter trade.
As soon as the Poblacion was established in 1667, Balut suddenly lost most of its inhabitants who have chosen to live closer
to St. Michael Church area where the new government-run trading center was set up. Those who remained in Balut returned to
fishing, tuyo- and tinapa-making, their original means of livelihood. During the whole Spanish regime, Balut became a mere
sitio of Poblacion as a result of its continuous depopulation. The
area was already heavily covered with shrubs and plants when
people recognized the importance of owning a piece of land
away from the Poblacion. They turned to Balut as a new community after Poblacion also became over-populated. The old
name Atlag was changed to Balut after it became a sitio of
Barangay Arellano (created as a regular barangay in 1915).
Balut, became a regular barangays in 1928, during the term of
Bataan Governor Gregorio Quicho, a native of Orion.
The present Balut is bounded on the north by Balagtas, on the
south and west by Arellano, and on the east by Manila Bay. It
has a total land area of 20.15 hectares and a population of 1,070
people.
BALUYUT, JOSE
JOSE BALUYUT ( - ) was a native of Orion who served as
board member of Bataan from 1914 to 1916. He was convicted
and jailed for shooting and killing Bataan Governor Conrado
Lerma in 1918. Baluyut, a resident of Wakas, Orion, was a rich
landowner who accepted the offer of Maximino delos Reyes of
Balanga to run for board member during the 1914 local elections. Baluyut was elected and served until 1916 with Delos
Reyes as governor.
After his stint at the Capitol, Delos Reyes aspired to become
Bataan representative in Congress. He favored Baluyut to be his
successor but the result of the 1916 local polls proved disappointing for Baluyut. He lost by a close margin to another gubernatorial candidate from Pilar, Conrado Lerma. He even filed an
election protest in court. Since then, he frequented Capitol
building (then located at the present site of Balanga Arcade) following up his case.
One day in September 1918, Lerma was surprised to see
Baluyut inside his office at the Capitol building. Altercation ensued between the two. It was followed by gunshots. Lerma was
found by Capitol employees lying in a pool of blood inside the
comfort room. He died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Baluyut, meanwhile, peacefully surrendered to the police. He
was convicted of killing Governor Lerma in cold blood. He was
jailed at the New Bilibid Prison for eight years before he was
released through a Presidential Pardon. Later on, he served as a
technical assistant to President Elpidio Quirino. After his stint in
Malacaang, he returned to Orion and built a house in Daan Pare
where he spent the remaining years of his life.
Tragic Death of a Governor
CONRADO LERMA was the seventh governor of the province.
He served Bataan from 1916 until his death in 1918.
Nothing much was written about Governor Lerma except the
facts that he was a native of Pilar, and the first incumbent governor of the province who was killed inside the Capitol building. His tragic death was well-written and at times, being discussed in classes of college students studying Criminal Law.
Conrado, just like his older brother and first congressman of
Bataan, Jose Lerma, (1907-1909), was elected directly by the
people. He outpolled Jose Baluyut of Orion during the local
elections of 1916.
Lermas stay at the Capitol was short-lived. One day in September 1918, he was shot by Baluyut whom he found was waiting for him in his office. Although wounded, Lerma was able to
run and hid inside the toilet. But Baluyot followed and shot
Lerma again. The governor died on the spot. Baluyot surrendered to the police.
Jose Baluyut
Board Member, 1914-1916
Jail term for Baluyut

For killing Governor Conrado
Lerma in September 1918, Jose
Baluyut was sentenced and sent
to the New Bilibid Prison. He
was jailed for eight years before
he was released through a
Presidential Pardon.
Orion versus Pilar
As a result of Governor
Lermas killing, Orion and Pilar suddenly found themselves
at war. Within the same day,
angry Pilar residents trooped to
Orion looking for Jose Baluyut
not knowing that he had already surrendered to the police
after the shooting. Trouble
erupted in Orion which forced
acting Governor Pedro Rich to
place Pilar and Orion under
military control. Former Orion
Mayor Simeon Rodriguez was
appointed mayor of both towns
from 1918 until 1921.
19
BANK
Banking hours,
Banks help
economic
growth
Abucay Rural Bank

Date established: Sept. 29, 1993
Bataan Development Bank

Date established: Feb. 2, 1980
Village Savings Bank

Date established: Jan. 25, 1980
Despite the presence of three

financial institutions in the municipality, a lot of Orion residents still go and open bank accounts in Balanga, in one or two
of the 15 commercial banks
based in the city. There, depositors are entitled to have bank
cards which they can use to get
cash even when the banks are
closed.
20
A BANK is a place where people can deposit their money for

safekeeping. People can open savings accounts that earn them
interest, about 4-6 percent per annum. They can open checking
accounts so they can pay their bills with checks. And they can
borrow money to buy a new house, or car. The banks make a
profit by lending the deposited money to people and businesses,
or by simply investing it. Banks play an important role in helping economic growth.
There are three commercial banks in Orion at present: the Rural Bank of Abucay in Wakas, Bataan Development Bank in Lati
and the Village Savings Bank in Balagtas. Two other banks, the
Orion Rural Bank and the Hermosa Savings Bank, both formerly
located in Balagtas, had already closed down. The Orion Rural
Bank and the Hermosa Savings Bank were placed under receivership by Philippine Depositors Insurance Corporation (PDIC)
in 2001 and February 2005 respectively.
BANTAN
BANTAN (GRANDE) is the northernmost barangay of Orion. It
is more or less 3 kilometers away from the center of the town. It
is bounded on the north and west by Pilar town, on the east by
Manila Bay, and on the south by Barangay Calungusan. It has a
total land area of 141.52 hectares and populated by 1,490 as per
2000 Census.
During the Spanish period, the place was known as Barangay
de Juan Enriquez, in honor of the first cabeza de barangay of the
place. Bantan was formally established as a regular barangay in
1915, during the term of Governor Maximino de los Reyes
(1914-1916). The name of the barangay was also changed to
Bantan, its original name before the Spaniards set foot in Bataan.
It was the Americans who convinced the residents that the system of naming a place after the name of the first elected leader
of the barrio was illogical.
Bantan, according to a local legend, was derived from the
Tagalog word bantayan, which means an outpost used for detecting the approach of the enemy during the barangay days.
Bantan
Barangayhood: 1915
Fiesta: May 15
Patron: San Isidro Labrador
River: Wakas Creek
School: Bantan Elementary School
Places of Interest:
Villa Leticia Inland Resort
View of Mount Samat
Nelson Rodriguez
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Melvin E. Luna
Marta C. Dizon
Jaime T. dela Rosa
Gary M. Roque
Rolando A. Basilio
Oscar M. Cruz
Gallardo L. Erese
Charo J. Atienza (SK)
Bantan
MAP OF ORION
Another legend suggests that Bantan was derived from the

Spanish word bonda which means boundary.
The first families who settled in the place include Agaton
Sangalang, Maria Cruz, Sotero Solomon, Bartolo Lopez, Herman Cruz, Dionisio Enriquez, and Juan Bautista.
San Isidro Labrador is the patron saint of the residents of
Bantan. The barrio chapel was burned twice during World War
II. Nothing was left of it when it was razed to the ground by the
Japanese soldiers in April 1942. The chapel was immediately
reconstructed but half of the newly-built church was again razed
by another fire in 1945, or during the Liberation due to an information that there were Japanese soldiers hiding in the barrio. Incendiary bombs were immediately dropped by American planes.
Bantan residents are mostly farmers, who are industrious,
hardworking and very proud of their history.
Former Punong barangay:
Sotero Solomon
Herman Cruz
Bartolo Lopez
Dionisio Enriquez
Pedro Rodriguez
Rufino Vitangcol
Lorenzo Reyes
Lorenzo de Jesus
Lazaro Reyes
Domingo Lopez
Mariano Reyes
Vicente Loreto
Adriano Sangalang
Wenceslao Luna
Francisco Sto. Domingo
Eusebio Hernandez
Antero Dizon
Efipanio Vitangcol
1894-1895
1895-1896
1896-1897
1897-1898
1898-1899
1899-1908
1908-1912
1912-1916
1916-1920
1920-1924
1924-1928
1928-1932
1932-1936
1936-1940
1940-1944
1944-1948
1948-1952
1952-1956
21
BANTAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The old BANTAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL opened as a primary school in 1928, through the initiative of Governor Gregorio
R. Quicho (1926-1928, 1929-1931), a native of Orion.
The school, built on the northern part of the barangay, served
the children of Bantan and even those residing in Wakas, Pilar.
But the school site was only being rented out by its owners, the
Rodriguez family. The lot was returned to its owners after the
school was partially destroyed during the Liberation. The said lot
was later developed and subdivided for residential purposes.
In 1955, a new school was built at its present site, in the
southern part of the barrio proper, between Bantan and Calungusan, right in front of the Death March Kilometer Marker
(KM) #39. The initial school buildings were erected through the
schoolbuilding program of the national government. Additional
classrooms were built later on to accommodate the increasing
Top photos, Grade pupils of

Bantan: right photo, the
campus of Bantan Elem. School
Former School Administrators
Guillermo Mateo
Zenaida Sison
Carina Lulu
School caretaker Araceli A. Buenaventura, 3rd from left, and other

teachers of Bantan
population of school children in Bantan, as well as Calungusan

during the time when the latter still has no school of its own.
Bantan Elementary School is a complete elementary institution.
At present, the school has six classrooms. For the school year
2005-2006, the school registered a total enrollment of 106,
whose educational needs were provided by six teachers.
Mrs. Araceli A. Buenaventura is the current school caretaker.
22
BANZON, VICENTE S.
BANZON, Rolando Dr.
DR. ROLANDO BANZON (1935- ) is a former regional director of the Department of Health (1999-2000), provincial health
officer of Bataan (1988-1999) and vice mayor of Orion (2001 to
2004).
Dr. Banzon was born in Barangay San Vicente on February 2,
1935. His parents were Vicente F. Banzon and Conchita R. Santos, both natives of Orion. He completed his elementary and secondary education from the Orion Elementary School and Jose
Rizal Institute-Orion. He enrolled at the University of Santo
Tomas in Manila and completed a degree in Medicine in 1961.
He also finished his Masters degrees in Public Health from the
University of the Philippines, and Health Administration from the
Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, Holland.
Dr. Banzon served as a municipal health officer starting in
1963 and became the assistant provincial health officer of Bataan
in 1976. He finally became the provincial top doctor in 1988. He
was promoted to the position of regional director of the Bicol Region in 1999. A year later, he retired from the government service.
In 2001, he ran for vice mayor of Orion together with reelectionist Mayor Manuel C. Santos Jr. He won against rival Allan
Inton, but Santos lost to former Vice Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo Jr.
Dr. Rolando Banzon

Vice Mayor, 2001-2004
Dr. Banzon left the political scene

after his term in 2004. He is presently managing the family business
ventures together with his wife
Zenaida Mariano-Banzon, a pharmacist, and daughter Marietta Banzon-Santiago.
BANZON, Vicente S.
VICENTE SANTOS BANZON (1945) is a native of San
Vicente, Orion who became an OIC-Board member of Bataan,
manager of the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ, now
Bataan Economic Zone) in Mariveles, and provincial administrator of Bataan during the first administration of Enrique T. Garcia
Jr. as governor of Bataan.
Banzon, a lawyer by profession, was born in Orion in April
1945. His parents were Vicente F. Banzon and Conchita R. Santos. He is the youngest among the five Banzon siblings. He finished his Bachelor of Arts, major in Political Science from the
Far Eastern University as a university scholar. In 1971, he completed his Law degree from the same school. He passed the Bar
examinations in 1972.
Atty. Banzon was initially employed as a legal officer at the
Export Processing Zone Administration (EPZA) in Makati. He
was promoted to the position of division chief in 1982. On March
18, 1986, nearly a month after the fall of the Marcoses, he was
appointed as OIC board member of Bataan together with OICGovernor Leonardo B. Roman but his stint at the Capitol was
short-lived. He was appointed as zone manager of BEPZ on August 13, 1986. He replaced Atty. Gene Vigo, another native of
Bataan, who was given a new assignment at the EPZA main office.
In March 1987, however, Banzon resigned from his position
Vicente Banzon
BEPZ manager, 1986-1987
Atty. Vicente Banzon

brother of Dr. Rolando Banzon, is
married to Dr. Elizabeth Tan of
Balanga City and they have two
children. The Banzon family presently resides in Mariveles.
23
BARANGAY
1987 CONGRESSIONAL
POLLS. Nine candidates ran for
congressmen of Bataan in 1987.
They were Atty. Vicente Banzon,
Atty. Restituto Roman, Atty.
Dante Ilaya, Virgilio Tordera,
Carlos Sarreal, Florencio de
Guzman, Abraham Escalona,
Atty. Wilfrido Dizon and Enrique
T. Garcia Jr.
and ran in the May 11, 1987 congressional polls, the first election after the EDSA Revolution. Unfortunately, he and seven
other aspirants lost against newcomer Enrique T. Garcia Jr..
After the loss, Atty. Banzon took time off from politics and
concentrated on his family business. In 1992, he returned to the
Capitol building as provincial administrator, a position offered to
him by Governor Garcia.
His stint at the Capitol, however, was cut short by the result
of the Recall election held in Bataan in December 1993 when
Governor Garcia lost to his political rival, Leonardo B. Roman.
Barangay
Datu, early chieftain
Barangay officials join

treeplanting program in Orion
24
BARANGAY is the basic territorial and political unit in the Philippines. It refers to any established community in a municipality. At present, Orion has 23 regular barangays, about 10.6 percent of the total 244 barangays in Bataan, way back in 1961, the
municipality had 11 outlying barangays then known as barrios in
addition to the poblacion.
The barangays in Orion are categorized into the following:
Town Proper Barangays San Vicente, Arellano, Bagumbayan, Daan Bilolo, Lati;
Periphery Barangays Balagtas, Balut, Wawa, Daan Bago,
Lusungan, Villa Angeles, Capunitan, Wakas;
Lowland Barangays Bantan Grande, Calungusan,
Camachile, Sto. Domingo;
Upland Barangays Daan Pare, Sta. Elena, Puting Buhangin,
Sabatan, Bilolo and General Lim.
Each barangay is governed by the Sangguniang Barangay.
The council is composed of a Punong Barangay, seven barangay
kagawad, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman, a secretary
and a treasurer. Members of the council exercise powers and perform duties and functions as provided for in the Local Government Code of 1991. Being the executive and legislative body of
the barangay, they create and enforce all laws and ordinances
which are applicable within the barangay.
In the municipal level, Punong Barangays have organized the
so-called Association of Barangay Councils.
BARANGAY
Association of Barangay Councils of Orion, Bataan

President
Melinda N. Berja
Bilolo
Ex. Vice President
Ernesto V. Hernandez
Calungusan
Secretary
Felipe N. Villegas
Balut
Treasurer
Leticia O. Angeles
Villa Angeles
Auditor
Carmelita Q. Celindro
Wakas
Directors
Pepito Guinto
Lati
Leopoldo dela Rosa
Lusungan
Mercelita D. Cruz
San Vicente
Felix N. dela Cruz
Wawa
Manuel L. Quezon
Balagtas
Other members of the Association of Barangay Councils
Arellano
Manuel Garcia Jr.
Bagumbayan
Armando D. Nava
Bantan
Nelson Rodriguez
Camachile
Felipe M. Paguio
Capunitan
Rolando S. Hatol
Daan Bilolo
Antonio E. Almazan, Jr.
Daan Bago
Carlito Ayuste
Daan Pare
Teodoro N. Anza
General Lim
Norberto R. Mamitag
Puting Buhangin
Delfin C. Reodique
Sabatan
Cezario L. Santiago
Sta. Elena
Rodolfo R. Rodriguez
Sto. Domingo
Herman V. Fernandez
25
BATAAN
Mount Samat, Pilar, Bataan
Seal of Bataan
Outstanding Citizens
Emilio A. Gancayco
Associate Justice, Supreme Court
1987-1992
Justice, Court of Appeals, 1972
Manuel C. Herrera
Justice, Court of Appeals
Fulgencio Factoran Jr.
DENR
Luciano Y. Joson
Tanodbayan
Mel Mathay
MMDA, Quezon City Mayor
Roman Cruz Jr.
GSIS, PAL
Tomas B. Aguirre
Banco Filipino
David Consunji
DPWTC
Jose R. Valdecaas
DOTC
Nestor E. Gonzales
NBI
Gerardo Escalada
Bureau of Post
Hipolito Talavera
NPCC
Florencio Ongkingco
SSS
Cecilio L. Dizon
Commision on Audit
Fortunato de Leon
Executive Secretary
Norberto Gonzales
National Security Adviser
Merceditas Gutierrez
Ombudsman
Luz B.anzon Magsaysay
First Lady
Felicito C. Payumo
SBMA Administrator
Antonio P. Roman
Deputy Minister of Finance
Alfredo L. Juinio
Secretary, DPWH
Jaime Mejia
Secretary of Energy
26
In 1754, BATAAN was established as a regular province by

Spanish Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia. Records,
however, showed that several villages were already in existence
in Bataan even before the Spaniards came in 1521.
In the 1570s, early Spanish missionaries who set foot in
Bataan for the first time found 30 thriving coastal villages in
various parts of the province. These settlers were found to have
originated from Borneo and Sumatra, via Mindanao and Visayas.
They settled in Bataan between the 13th and 14th centuries.
They were predominantly fishermen, farmers and craftsmen.
Others were businessmen who were engaged in the barter trade
in Manila. The hillsides, on the other hand, were found to be inhabited by Aetas.
Bataan is comprised of 11 municipalities and one city. These
are Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Morong,
Balanga (became a city in 2000), Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles
and Bagac with a combined land area of 137,296 hectares or
about 7.5 percent of Central Luzon. Except for its northeastern
portions, which are bounded by Zambales and Pampanga,
Bataan is virtually surrounded by seawater.
Despite its size, Bataan is currently one of the top earning
provinces in the country in terms of human development index,
employment, and dollar-earning capability.
Bataan already earned a place in the history of the Philippines. Tomas Pinpin, the so-called prince of Filipino Printers,
authored, co-authored and printed some of the oldest books in
the country between 1610 and 1639. The printing press used was
located inside the Abucay Church.
Bataan was also one of the provinces in Luzon which revolted
against the Spaniards. Two of her sons, Pablo Tecson and Tomas
del Rosario figured prominently in the Malolos Convention in
l898. Cayetano Arellano, who declined President Emilio Aguinaldos offer to become the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, later on
became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (19011913).
LAND OF VALOR, PEOPLE OF PEACE

Bataan became internationally famous during World War II
(1941-1945). It was the time when some 60,000 Filipino and
American soldiers displayed a gallant defensive stand in the peninsula against the invading and more superior Japanese Imperial Army. Their heroic deeds delayed the strategic timetable of
the Japanese and allowed the Allies to build up their forces in
Australia which eventually led to the surrender of Japan in 1945.
Today, the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) stands
majestically atop Mount Samat in Barangay Diwa, Pilar as a testimony to the heroism and bravery of the men and women who
gave their lives in defense of democracy.
Clockwise, Mount Samat, Montemar

Beach (Bagac), Friendship Tower
(Bagac), and BEPZ (Mariveles).
Population
In 1799, Bataan was inhabited by
16,654; the population increased in
1850 to 39,008 residents; and in
1953, the population was 96,492.
2003 Census
Abucay
- 31,801
Bagac
- 22,353
Balanga
- 71,088
Dinalupihan
- 76,145
Hermosa
- 46,254
Limay
- 46,520
Mariveles
- 85,779
Morong
- 21,273
Orani
- 52,501
Orion
- 44,067
Pilar
- 32,368
Samal
- 27,382
Total:
557,659
Bataan is a strategic peninsula lying in the southwestern part

of Central Luzon. Manila Bay and South China are its eastern
and western boundaries. The province has a total population of
557,659 as of year 2001. Population growth is 2.74 percent
while the average household size is 4.90.
The province continues to host the first export processing
zone in the country (BEPZ), the petrochemical complex in
Mariveles, the Petron Bataan Refinery complex in Limay and
several economic zones, including a big portion of the Subic Bay
Metropolitan Area (SBMA).
Townhood
Abucay
June 10, 1588
Bagac
1873
Balanga
April 21, 1714
Balanga City
Dec. 30, 2000
Dinalupihan
1865
Hermosa
May 8, 1756
Limay
Jan. 1, 1917
Mariveles
July 1754
Morong
1607
Orani
April 21, 1714
Orion
April 30, 1667
Pilar
April 10, 1801
Samal
April 20, 1641
27
BATAAN GOVERNORS
No.
Name
From 1901 to 2007

Origin
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
John Gouldman
Tomas del Rosario
Lorenzo Zialcita
Pedro Rich
Mariano Rosauro
Maximino delos Reyes
Conrado Lerma
Pedro Rich
Alberto Aquino
Manuel Aguinaldo
Gregorio Quicho
USA
Balanga
Orani
Samal
Balanga
Balanga
Pilar
Samal
Samal
Pilar
Orion
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Sabino de Leon
Alberto Aquino
Joaquin J. Linao
Jose S. Manahan
Simeon Salonga
Teodoro Camacho
Joaquin J. Linao
Emilio Ma. Naval
Adelmo Camacho
Emilio Ma Naval
Pedro R. Dizon
Pilar
Samal
Morong
Balanga
Orani
Balanga
Morong
Balanga
Balanga
Balanga
Balanga
23
24
Guillermo Arcenas
Efren B. Pascual
Hermosa
Orani/Orion
25
Leonardo B. Roman
Balanga
26
27
Enrique T. Garcia Jr.

Leonardo B. Roman
Balanga
Balanga
28
Enrique Garcia
Balanga
Year
1901-1903*
1903-1905
1906-1907
1908-1910
1911-1913
1914-1916
1917-1918**
1918-1919*
1920-1922
1923-1925
1926-1929
1929-1931
1932-1934
1935-1937
1938-1940
1941-1942
1942-1945*
1945-1946*
1946-1947*
1948-1951
1952-l955
1956-1959
1960-1964
1964-1967
1968-1971
1971-1976
1976-1980
1980-1986
1986-1988
1988-1992
1992-1994***
1994-1995
1995-1998
1998-2001
2001-2004
2004 to (2007)
* appointed
** died in office
*** recalled
28
BATAAN CONGRESSMEN
From 1907 to 2007
Name
Jose Lerma
Tomas del Rosario
Pablo Tecson
Origin
Pilar
Balanga
Orani
Balanga
Antonio Llamas
Manuel Banzon
Teodoro Camacho Sr.
Fortunato de Leon
Teodoro Camacho Sr.
Mariveles
Balanga
Balanga
Orion
Balanga
Antonio Llamas
Mariveles
Year
1907-1909
1909-1912
1912-1916
1916-1919
1920-1922
1922-1925
1925-1928
1928-1931
1931-1934
1934-1937
1938-1941
1941-1942
World War II abolished Congress (1942-1946).

Bonifacio Camacho
Medina Lacson de Leon
Jose R. Nuguid
Abucay
Balanga
Orani
1946-1949
1950-1953
1954-1957
1957-1960
1961-1964
Pablo R. Roman
Pilar
1965-1969
1970-1973
On January 17, 1973, the 1973 Constitution took effect and resulted in the abolition of the legislative body, Congress and the Senate. President Ferdinand Marcos ruled under Martial Law.
Antonino Roman Jr.
Orani
1978-1986
After EDSA Revolution, Bataan was divided into two congressional districts in 1987.
Felicito Payumo
Enrique Garcia Jr.
Dinalupihan
Balanga
l987-1991
1987-1991
Felicito Payumo
Dominador Venegas
Dinalupihan
Orion
1992-1995
1992-1995
Felicito Payumo
Enrique Garcia Jr.
Dinalupihan
Balanga
1995-1998
1995-1998
Antonino Roman Jr.

Enrique Garcia Jr.
Orani
Balanga
1998-2001
1998-2001
Antonino Roman Jr.

Enrique Garcia Jr.
Orani
Balanga
2001-2004
2001-2004
Antonino Roman Jr.

Albert S. Garcia
Orani
Balanga
2004 to 2007
2004 to 2007
29
BATAAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

World War II brought tremendous devastation in Bataan. Fortunately, bits of our local history
were carefully noted by the government and religious sector. Bataan, as far as available records
are concerned, was governed by ELECTED/APPOINTED local officials from l945 to present,
namely:
Term coverage: 1945 to June 15, 1946
Governor (appointed)
TEODORO CAMACHO
Board members
Emilio V. Reyes
Lorenzo dela Fuente
Secretary
Atty. Emilio Dizon
Term coverage: January 1, l956 to Dec.30, l959

Governor
EMILIO MA. NAVAL
Board members
Raymundo Galicia
Atty. Faustino Vigo
Secretary
Atty. Restituto Roman
Term coverage: June 24, 1946 to July 15, 1946

Governor (acting)
Ramon L. Santos
Board Members
Emilio V. Reyes
Lorenzo dela Fuente
Secretary (acting)
Celestino M. Guzman
Term coverage: January 1, 1960 to Dec.30, l963

Governor
PEDRO R. DIZON
Vice Governor
Atty. Faustino Vigo
Board members
Rustico Mallari
Toribio Sioson
Ruperto Mariano
(vice Sioson, Dec. 7, l962)
Secretary
Bernabe T. Penaflor
Bruno Flores
(vice Penaflor, Sept. 1961)
Term coverage: July 16, 1946 to Dec.30, 1947

Governor (appointed)
JOAQUIN J. LINAO
Board members
Emilio V. Reyes
Dr. Primitivo Lacson
(vice Reyes, Sept. 15, l947),
Lorenzo dela Fuente
Term coverage: Jan. 1, l964 to December 30, l967
Joel Joco
Governor
PEDRO R. DIZON
(vice Fuente, Sept. 15, l947)
(up to March 30, 1968)
Secretary
CM Guzman
Vice Governor
Guillermo Arcenas
Board members
Benjamin Pascual
Term coverage: October 1, 1947 to Dec.30, 1947
Ruperto Mariano
Governor (acting)
Severino Manahan
Rufino Navarro
Board members
Primitivo Lacson
Secretary
Atty. Bruno Flores
Joel Joco
Toribio Sioson
Secretary
Francisco Baluyot
(vice Flores, Sept. 1964)
Term coverage: January 1, 1948 to Dec.30, 1951
Governor
EMILIO MA. NAVAL
Board members
Dr. Primitivo Lacson
Atty. Simeon I. Raya
Secretary
Adelmo Camacho
Atty. Dominador L. Quiroz
(vice Camacho, July 5, l949)
Governor
ADELMO CAMACHO
Board members
Raymundo B. Galicia
Anastacio Valencia
Mauro Ganzon
(vice Valencia, Jan. l954)
Secretary
Celestino M. Guzman
C. Gregorio
(vice Guzman, Jan. l955)
30

Governor
GUILLERMO ARCENAS
Vice Governor
Board members
Secretary
(Starts April 1, l968 due to protest)

Efren B. Pascual
Dionisio Roque
Rufino Navarro
Rustico Mallari
Ricardo Buensuceso
Term coverage: January 1, l972 to January, l976

Governor
EFREN B. PASCUAL
Vice Governor
Rufino Navarro
Board members
Jesus Sanchez
Irene Flores
Crisostomo Banzon
Secretary
Antonio Pimpinio
Benjamin Pascual
(vice Pimpinio, Sept. l973)

Martial Law was proclaimed on September 11, Board members
1972. Marcos continued to be the Philippine
President. A new political system, the Citizen
Assembly, was introduced on January 12, l976.
Term coverage: Feb. 4, l976 to Feb. l980
Governor
EFREN B. PASCUAL
Representatives
Rufino Navarro
(resigned, March 1976)
Jesus Sanchez
Irene Flores
Remegio Sacdalan
Geronimo Ursulo
Alfredo Jaraba
Jaime Ocampo
Martin Manalansan
Arturo Roxas
Josue Ricafrente
Teodorico de Jesus
Jose Bugay
Antonio Mariano
Rustico Mallari
Kabataang Bgy.
Judy Carunungan
Nelson J. Cruz
(vice Carunungan, Jan. 15, 1979)
Federation ABC
Pablo Roman Jr.
Secretary
Tirso David
Term coverage: March 1, l980 to March 1986

Governor
EFREN B. PASCUAL
Vice Governor
Carolina N. Beltran
SP Members
Rustico Mallari
Crisostomo Banzon
Manuel Santos Jr.
Rustico Consunji
Teodoro Pizarro Jr.
Remegio Sacdalan
ABC
Antonio Ortiguerra
(July 8, l980)
KB
Nelson J. Cruz
Antonio Consunji
(vice N. Cruz, Oct. 14, 1980)
Dominador Carunungan
(vice A. Consunji, Oct. 27, 1981)
Secretary
Tirso David
Term coverage: March 18, l986 to May 28, l988
Governor
LEONARDO B. ROMAN
Vice Governor
Florencio de Guzman
Nelson C. David
(vice Guzman, Jan 28, 1987)
FABC
KB
Secretary
Vicente Banzon
Rosauro Liloc
(vice Banzon, Oct. 29,1986)
Herminio Dizon
Serafin Roman
Alfredo Jaraba
Mauro Roque
Ruben Manrique
Rosario Acuna
Godofredo Galicia
Gregorio Uy, Jr.
Fernando G. Roman
Term coverage: February 2, l988 to July 30, l992

Governor
LEONARDO B. ROMAN
Vice Governor
Serafin Q. Roman
Board members
Fernando C. Austria
Romeo C. Tagle
Ben Alonzo
Emiliano Reyes
Merceditas Consunji
Rogelio Roque
Rose Acua
Victor Baluyot
Crisostomo Banzon
Amelita Sioson
FABC
Norberto Simpao/
Eduardo Garcia
KB
Gregorio Uy Jr.
Secretary
Fernando Roman
Term coverage: Sept. 1, l992 to June 30, l994
Governor
ENRIQUE GARCIA, JR.
Vice Governor
Efren Pascual Jr.
Board members
Rod Izon
Eduard Florendo
Orlando Miranda
Wilfredo Apostol
Rogelio Roque
Ben Alonzo
Fernando Austria
Gregorio Uy Jr.
Emil Reyes
Rose Acua
Ramonette Reyes
BMCL
Ernesto Enriquez
SK
Annamarie dela Fuente
FABC
Eduardo Garcia
Secretary
Severino Salazar
RECALL ELECTION was held in December

1993.
31

Term coverage: July 1, l994 to June 30, 1995
Governor
LEONARDO B. ROMAN
Term coverage: January 1, l995 to June 30, l998
Governor
LEONARDO B. ROMAN
Vice Governor
Serafin Q. Roman
Board members
Rod Izon
Wilfredo Apostol
Orlando Miranda
Eduardo Florendo
Reynaldo Muli
Manuel Beltran
Lucila Payumo
Gregorio Uy
Angel Peliglorio Jr.
Lolita Reyes
BMCL
Sergio Mariano
SK
Edward Roman
FABC
Aveto Banzon
Secretary
Severino Salazar
Term coverage: July 1, 1998 to June 30, 2001
Governor
LEONARDO B. ROMAN
Vice Governor
Rogelio Roque
Board members
Rod Izon
Lucila Payumo
Eduardo Florendo
Fernando Austria
Melanio Banzon Jr.
Dante Manalaysay
Wilfredo Apostol
Reynaldo Muli
Orlando Miranda
Gregorio Uy
BMCL
Sergio Mariano
SK
Eduard Papo Roman
FABC
Joey Carandang
Secretary
Severino Salazar
Term coverage: July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004
Governor
LEONARDO B. ROMAN
Vice Governor
Rogelio Roque
Board members
Eduardo Calimbas
Lucila Payumo
Edwin Enrile
Wilfredo Apostol
Fernando Austria
Dante Manalaysay
Melanio Banzon Jr.
Reynaldo Muli
Sergio Mariano
32
BMCL
SK
FABC
Secretary
Rod Salandanan
Reynaldo Ibe/Eriel Ibarra
Junilene Viesca/Nicolle Galicia
Joey Carandang
Severino Salazar
On May 10, 2004, national and local elections were

held. GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO won over
FERNANDO POE JR. NOLI DE CASTRO was vice
president. ENRIQUE TET GARCIA is new Governor
of Bataan. Mayor Antonio Raymundo Jr. is re-elected
Municipal Mayor of Orion.
Term coverage: July 1, 2004 to 2007
Governor
Vice Governor
Benjamin Alonzo
Board Members
Rod Izon
Eduardo Calimbas
Manuel Beltran
Fernando C. Austria
Eduard Roman
Orlando Miranda
Dante Manalaysay
Rodolfo Salandanan
Edwin Enrile
Eduard Florendo
BMCL
Billy de Leon
SK
Nicolle Galicia
FABC
Jose Villapando Sr.
Secretary
Severino Salazar
Gov. Tet Garia, second from left, with President Gloria

Arroyo during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Diosdado Macapagal Terminal in Puting Buhangin while
Mayor Raymundo and Congressman Abet Garcia look on.
BATAAN CAPITOL
The CAPITOL is the building where the Governor, members of

the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and provincial government employees are holding office. The officers and staff of some national agencies have also their respective buildings situated inside the Capitol compound.
The present Capitol building is located in Barangay San Jose,
Balanga City, beside the old Bataan National School of Arts and
Trades (BNSAT). It was built and completed in June, 1950, during the first term of Governor Emilio Ma. Naval (1948-l951).
The initial cost of the building was P235,945.00.
Part of the project was the construction of a straight asphalt
road, measuring some 1.2 kilometers and 12 meters wide. It
starts from the corner of the present Recar building to the gate of
the Capitol compound. Capitol officials negotiated with the
Balanga Diocese hierarchy to sell the vacant lot beside the
church (in front of the present Banco Filipino, going west to Cataning River) which was used as approach ramp to what is now
known as Capitol Road. The government spent P75,679.00 for
the completion of the road project, excluding the cost of the initial wooden bridge which connected Rizal Street to the new
road.
The Capitol Road replaced the old Ibayo-Tenejero road formerly used by people in going to the new provincial government
building.
ORIGINAL CAPITOL
The original Capitol building was
erected in 1901 near the town
plaza of Balanga, where the present Arcade is located. The semi
-concrete building was formerly
used as the residence-barracks
of Captain John Gouldman and
the soldiers of the United States
Army who were assigned in the
province in September 1899.
When Gouldman was appointed
the military go-vernor of Bataan
(1901-1903), he used his residence as the Capitol building.
The said building expanded as

new governors came by. It was
burned to the ground in February 1942 as a result of the
saturated bombings by the
Japanese bombers who used
incendiary bombs against the
American and Filipino troops
assembled around the plaza of
Balanga. At that time, the
USAFFE soldiers were on their
way to the different locations in
Bataan. The bombings also
burned and destroyed all building structures in the vicinity, except the Balanga Cathedral
which only sustained minor
damages.
The Bulwagan presently

used as The Governors office
33
BATAAN SCHOOL OF FISHERIES

Of the four existing secondary schools in Orion, Bataan School
of Fisheries (BSF) is the biggest learning institution in the municipality.
The school derives its existence from RA 4222, enacted on
June 19, 1965, providing for the establishment of a fishery
school in Bataan. This paved way for its operation which began
in June 1971 by offering a high school curriculum to its 59 enrollees with emphasis on fishery education. Its opening was realized through the dedicated effort of its first school principal, Mr.
Santiago C. Ramirez, who worked for its establishment in Orion
in coordination with the local officials of the municipality with
Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique at the helm.
BSF Seal
In June 1975, it diversified its services by offering the ThreeYear Diploma in Fishery Technology Course. To get attuned to
the needs of the industry, it expanded its curricular offerings by
offering other courses in its Post-Secondary Department which
include Garments Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Technology
and Computer Secretarial Course.
From its initial 59 enrollees in 1971, it now serves 1,196 secondary and 106 post-secondary students (Data for SY 20062007). Also from its initial eight (8) teaching and non-teaching
personnel, it now has 53 teaching and 20 non-teaching personHigh school students
nel with four (casual) employees.
At present, Bataan School of Fisheries has listed 5, 363
graduates in its secondary and 658 in its Post-Secondary Course.
Past and present School
Administrators:
Bataan School of Fisheries spans in a 14-hectare reclamation
Santiago Ramirez 1971
area along the coastal area of Daan Bago and traversing northMarcelo de Guzman
ward at portions of Wawa and southward at Lusungan.
Cecilio Rapadas
A protected mangrove farm consisting of 1.5 hectares is beGERARDO C. BATALLA
ing maintained by the school in support of the governments environment conservation program. The farm does not only protect.
Technical students
The teaching force

of the Bataan School
of Fisheries in
Orion
34
BERNABE, FELIZARDO
marine life in the area but also has become a haven for different species of birds.
BSFs interior
School gate
High school students
BERNABE, Felizardo
FELIZARDO BERNABE served as vice mayor of Orion from
1963 to 1967 during the administration of Mayor Ricardo T. Angeles. He was a three-term municipal councilor of Orion, from
1951-1955, 1955-1959 and 1959-1963.
Bernabe, a native of Barangay Lati, was in the ticket of mayoralty candidate Manuel R. Santos when he won as councilor for
the first time in 1951. Even though Santos lost in his re-election
bid in 1955, Bernabe still made it to the list of winning councilors during the said election. Bernabe remained loyal to Santos
when the latter ran for mayor in 1959. Unfortunately, Santos
picked out Dr. Jose Quicho as his runningmate and not Bernabe.
The three of them won at the polls. Since then, Bernabe felt it
was time to distant himself from Santos.
In 1963, Bernabe ran for vice mayor as runningmate of mayoralty aspirant Bernardo Pizarro. Newcomer Ricardo T. Angeles won against Pizarro. Bernabe won as vice mayor.
Four years later, Bernabe teamed up with mayoralty candidate Gabriel L. Manrique. Manrique won. Bernabe lost to
Ernesto Pascual, Ricardo Angeles runningmate. Bernabe returned to the political scene in 1980 and ran for vice mayor together with mayoralty aspirant Ricardo T. Angeles. Both of them
lost against Manrique and Dr. Antonio H. Mariano.
Felizardo Lopez Bernabe

Vice Mayor, 1963 - 1967
35
BILOLO
Bilolo
Population: 3, 936 (2000 Census)
Barangayhood: unknown
Fiesta: March 19, May 24
Patron: St. Joseph
Rivers: Pita River
School: Bilolo Elementary School
Place of Interest:
Sitio Kataasan
Bilolo
Barangay BILOLO is one of the six upland barangays of Orion.

It is bounded on the north by General Lim (Kaput), on the south
by Barangay Sabatan, on the east by Daan Bilolo and on the
west by the Mariveles Mountain. It is accessible via the Roman
Expressway and the Daan Bilolo Road.
The barangay has a total land area of 755.22 hectares and inhabited by 3,936 as per 2000 Census.
Bilolo was a former sitio of Barangay San Vicente, not Daan
Bilolo. From the Spanish time until before the war, the barangay
was only reachable through a couple of existing trailways connected to Orions main road (now called Bataan National Road).
Bilolo only became easily accessible after the Daan Bilolo Road
was fully developed as the main access road.
MAP OF ORION
Clockwise, central area

of Bilolo, health center
and Barangay chapel
Melinda N. Berja
Punong Barangay
Barangay Kagawad
Marcelina S. Gacis
Alfredo L. Villafando
Rudy A. Carbonel
Reynaldo S. Baluyot
Normita R. Trajano
Carlito B. Agustin
Abelardo E. Cruz
Rona Elaine Quicho (SK)
Francisco Olaya 1957-1989
Teodoro del Rosario Sr.
Leonardo Festijo
Rafael Llamzon 19681972
Teodoro Cruz
1972-1986
Fidel Samson
1986-1987
1994-1997
Domingo Estrella 1987-1989
Celestino Sanchez 1989-1994
36
It resulted from the conversion of the former agricultural area

south of San Vicente River into a residential community. The
access road, however, remained a rough thoroughfare until 1973.
After the Roman Expressway was opened to motorists, the
Daan Bilolo access road was upgraded little by little until it became a major artery. As a result, Bilolo practically became part
of the town proper. Bilolo, in fact, became the gateway to the
heart of the municipality coming from the Roman Expressway.
Bilolo has evolved into a new urban center with the establishment of mango buying stations, hardwares and other commercial
stores.
The barangay has a day care center and a complete elementary school, two programs which the residents have been clamoring.
BILOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Former School Administrators
Andres Simeon
Adoracion Quicho
Carolina Baluyot
Josefina Merquiado
Filomena Buhain
Zenaida Sison
Dr. Elena B. Pizarro
Bilolo Elementary School along T. Del Rosario Street
Residents of Bilolo have been asking for an elementary school

since 1962 but the pleading had been denied many times due to
financial constraints. It was former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique
who really worked hard for the establishments of the initial
classrooms in Bilolo. Before his term as mayor ended in 1986,
the BILOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was already well established in a 2,018 square meter lot expropriated by the local government unit.
At present, the school is the third largest public learning institution in Orion next to Orion Elementary School and Capunitan
Elementary School.
For the School Year 2005-2006, the school registered a total
of 527 students. A big number of the pupils come from areas located along the Roman Expressway. The students educational
needs are being provided by 14 regular teachers.
Dr. Elvira Mina is the current school principal. She replaced
Dr. Elena B. Pizarro.
Grade pupils of Bilolo Elementary

School
Third largest School

Bilolo Elementary School, established and completed during
the administration of Mayor
Gabriel L. Manrique, is the third
largest public school in Orion. It
caters to the educational needs
of children coming from Bilolo
and adjacent areas located
along the Roman Expressway.
The Bilolo Elementary School
teaching staff
37
BRITISH INVASION
In 1762, the Spaniards surrendered Manila to the British. The

British returned Manila to Spanish authorities and immediately
sailed back to England in 1764.
Rudiardo A. Brown
Commodore, Philippine Marines
38
British Invasion
After the friendly relation between Spain and England was shattered in 1761, 13 English ships carrying 4,000 troops under the
command of Admiral Samuel Cornish entered Manila Bay in September 28, 1762. Six days later, the Spanish authorities surrendered
Manila to the British.
As food supplies coming from the Spanish-controlled bailiwicks
were cut off, the British have decided to extend their invasion to the
provinces surrounding Manila. It was at this point that they thought
of invading Bataan. They crossed Manila Bay and landed in Orion
in April 1763.
General Simon de Anda y Salazar, the appointed governor and
captain-general, heard of the news and immediately ordered 60 of
his men stationed in Guagua, Pampanga to proceed to Orion,
Bataan. There they were joined by 200 natives armed with bows
and arrows.
The British have already landed in Orion and were about ready
to attack the town when they felt the presence of armed soldiers and
natives guarding the length of the coastal area from Balut to Daan
Bago. Frightened, the British ran to the beachhead in confusion.
Unfortunately, there were a number of Spanish-Bataan men-of-war
already waiting for them near the shore. There was a short exchange of fire which left seven British and one Bataan native dead.
The British sailed away and did not return to Bataan after that incident.
BROWN, Rudiardo A.
RUDIARDO ANGELES BROWN (1930 -1973) is best remembered as the Philippine Navy officer who organized the Philippine
Marines. He was a native of Orion.
Commodore Brown was born in Wawa, Orion on November 28,
1930 to parents Rodolfo Brown and Guillerma Angeles. He was
baptized in Orion with the late Luz Banzon, wife of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay as his godmother. He graduated
from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1955 and immediately joined the Philippine Navy. It can be said that at one time during his term as Commodore, current Philippine Senator and PMA
alumnus Rodolfo Biazon served as his personal driver and aide.
Commodore Brown met his tragic death in Lamao, Limay on
January 30, 1973. He perished in a plane crash near the Planters
Products fertilizer plant in Limay. He was a passenger of a fourseater Cessna Beechcraft which overshot the Petron Bataan Refinery runway and hit the power lines supplying electricity to the
plant. He was on his way to visit the DND Arsenal in Lamao at the
time of the tragic accident. Three others, including television personality and Olympian shooter Chito Feliciano, died in the crash.
His remains were buried in Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio. Brown was married to Anita A. Enriquez with whom he had
5 children: namely, Edgar, Sonny, Rosemarie, Bernard and Cristopher .
CALAMITY
BUENAVENTURA, Andres B.
ANDRES B. BUENAVENTURA, a recognized World War II
veteran who fought in Bataan as a USAFFE soldier, was Orions
vice mayor from 1956 to 1959. He served during the term of
Municipal Mayor Alberto Cristobal.
Buenaventura, a native of Barangay Wakas, ran for vice
mayor in 1956 as runningmate of Alberto Cristobal. Both of
them won over their respective rivals, incumbent Mayor Manuel
R. Santos and Vice Mayor Quirino Quicho.
When his term ended in 1959, Buenaventura took a rest from
politics and watched from the sideline as vice mayoralty candidates, Dr. Jose Quicho and Celerino Reyes, fought against each
other for the vacant post. Dr. Quicho won as vice mayor, together with comebacking Mayor Manuel Santos.
After the elections, Buenaventura was picked out by Mayor
Santos as Orions municipal council secretary. He served from
1959 to 1963.
Andres B. Buenaventura
Vice Mayor, 1956 - 1959
SB secretary, 1959-1963
Andres B. Buenaventura was

married to Annicia Matic with
whom he had 12 children.
Calamity
Cc
CALAMITY is defined as a disaster of great magnitude that has
occurred in a particular place. Some catastrophes either claim
lives or destroy properties. For instance, when the whole town
center of Orion burned to the ground on May 3, 1893, four days
before the celebration of the annual fiesta, the emergency situation qualified as a calamity. Nearly 300 residential houses in Poblacion were totally razed by fire as the flame was fanned by
strong winds coming from the sea. Only the houses of Teniente
Mariano Angeles and Cabesang Rafael Aping Pangilinan
which were made of concrete materials remained standing after
the conflagration. In March 1955, Lusungan and Daan Bago
were also razed by a big fire. Lati and Wakas were spared.
As far as history is concerned, Orion had suffered a long list
of calamities, namely:
WAR. From 1800 to 1898, a big number of local residents in
Orion were killed by Spanish authorities on mere suspicion of
being disloyal to the government and the church. Cruel forms of
punishments such as whipping using, the garrote, compulsory..
Fire, flood and war are just three

of the major calamities which hit
Orion in the past.
39
CALAMITY
The cruelty of the Filipino-Spanish

war and other global conflict.
A scene from the infamous

Death March of 1942
Orion fire
In 1959, a great fire raised the
barangay of Lusungan and
Daan Bago and part of Wakas.
There were no human casualty
reported but several carabaos
and cows died in the fire.
Earthquake drill for schoolchildren
40
labor and death were administered to the people for flimsy excuses. The fatality count increased during the revolution years,
from 1896 to 1898. Suspected members of the Katipunan in Orion
were immediately arrested, tortured and killed.
The Americans were no different from the Spaniards. During
the Filipino-American War, a big number of Sto. Domingo residents were arrested and killed by the Americans and their Macabebe mercenaries.
Orion became a no mans land during the early months of
World War II. Nearly all houses in Poblacion were razed to the
ground as a result of the scorch-the-earth policy by the invading
Japanese Army. Properties were lost or destroyed because of the
cruelty of war. The people lived in untold sufferings and miseries
in the mountains together with the soldiers. More sufferings were
encountered by those who evacuated to Hagonoy (Bulacan)
Masantol (Pampanga) and other nearby places. Only a few survived hunger, disease and other sufferings.
The Banzai Counter-Attack that transpired in the old market
site in Arellano, Orion during the Liberation period also caused a
heavy toll on the lives of both the Japanese and the American Liberation Forces.
The War of 1941-1945 brought tremendous toll on the people.
Almost one-half of the population of Orion died from hunger,
sickness or from lethal war weapons. Many heads were decapitated for being guerilla suspects. Houses were set on fire during
the advance and, later on, during the retreat of the Japanese Army.
Spoils of war
EARTHQUAKE. The tremor which hit Orion in September

1852 not only sowed fear among the residents but also brought
widespread destruction. Even the St. Michael The Archangel Parish was not spared. The church suffered major damages and its
wooden trusses fell to the ground. Several minor earthquakes
were felt in town during the last 100 years. On December 12,
1999, a tremor measuring 6.8 in the Richter scale hit Orion and
the whole peninsula. It lasted for 23 seconds. Luckily, Orion came
out unscathed but the St. Peter of Verona Church in Hermosa was
heavily damaged. Its bell tower and roofing collapsed. A new
church replaced the damaged building.
CALAMITY
Man against nature
TYPHOONS. Orion was hit by a number of damaging typhoons.

Typhoon Yoling, actually a hurricane, was packed with 150
kilometer per hour winds which toppled houses, uprooted trees
and plants, sunk boats and wounded local residents.
DISEASES. Cholera, typhoid fever and small pox were the
most dreaded diseases during the later years of the Spanish regime. A big number of Orion natives perished while the epidemic
was ravaging Manila and nearly the whole of Luzon. Malaria, on
the other hand, claimed many lives during World War II. Filipino
and American soldiers, as well as civilians, died by the hundreds
as the fighting in Bataan went on.
The HIV virus, SARS, Dengue, Meningococcemia and lately,
the H5NI (or bird flu virus) also brought real scare among the
people. Luckily, Orion was spared from these health problems.
Typhoons
People still remember the havoc
brought about by Typhoons Trix,
Wendy, Agnes, Carmen, Delia,
Elaine (1960), Kate (1962), Dading (1964), Welming (1967),
Yoling (1970), Mameng (1979),
Aring (1980), Norming (1982),
Bebeng (1983), Karing, Daling
(1985), Gading (1986), Goring,
Bining, Ibiang (1997), Emang,
Iliang, Loleng (1998), Biring,
Pitang, Edeng (2000), Ceria,
Jolina (2001), Gloria, Florila,
Hambalos (2002), Frank, Jaime,
Martie, Yoyong (2004), Glenda
(2006).
Untimely death
Maria Fe Amaca, 15 years old of
Barangay Wawa, Orion and
crowned Lakambini ng Udyong
2004 fell victim to dengue fever.
She died on September 12,
2006. She was a fourth year
student of Jose Rizal Institute.
Left photos, red tide affects tahong

and other seashell production; scientists and health workers looking for
new technology to combat SARS,
AIDS, H5NI and other related viruses
The Red Tide, the disease caused by a buildup of toxic organisms in fish and seashells, also brought a number of Orion residents to hospitals due to poisoning. Fortunately, no fatality was
reported in the municipality. However, a big number of tahong
producers in Orion were greatly affected by the scare even when
reports of red tide poisoning happened in distant provinces. Fishermen, clam, oyster and mussel producers lamented over the
big decrease in their income due to Red Tide.
INFESTATIONS. Orion was also hit by infestations brought
about by rats, agricultural pests and even locusts. A locust infestation hit Orion in 1995. Damaged figure, however, was not made
available for this book. Luckily, through the years, scientists have
developed new technology to prevent these natural calamities.
Locust infestation
41
CALIMBAS, DONATO
Donato Calimbas
Mayor, 1916-1918
Donato Calimbas was married

to Isidra Gaite of Palawan. They
had five children: Jose, Jaime,
Juanito, Bien and Carolina.
CALIMBAS, Donato
DONATO CALIMBAS was the 7th mayor of Orion. He served from
1916 until 1918.
Calimbas hailed from Bantan. He, like Simeon Rodriguez, owned
vast tracks of land in the northern part of Orion and in the southern
portion of Pilar. He, and his older brother, former Mayor of Orion
Francisco Calimbas were members of the local elite in Orion.
Unfortunately, Calimbas and his runningmate for vice mayor Nicasio Baluyut entered the political scene at a time when municipal-wide
campaigning was a necessity. And even though the election process
continued to be conducted through acclamation, the 1916 polls became the first most expensive election ever held not only in Bataan
but throughout the whole country.
Calimbas won over incumbent vice mayor and mayoralty candidate Esteban Dupungan in many periphery barangays, as well as in
the town proper. His runningmate, Nicasio Baluyut, also won at the
polls.
Two years later, Calimbas and Baluyut lost to the tandem of
Aproniano Tiambeng and Agapito Angeles for the mayoralty and
vice mayoralty posts, respectively.
CALIMBAS, Francisco
Francisco Calimbas
Mayor, 1912-1914
Francisco Calimbas
was a native of Arellano
(formerly Tangaran), Orion. His
family owned vast farmland in
Orion and Pilar which were
planted to sugar cane. They also
operated two kabyawans (sugar
mills) in southwestern Pilar. His
house in Arellano was used as
garrison during the Japanese
time.
42
FRANCISCO CALIMBAS was elected 5th mayor of Orion and

served from 1912 to 1914. He was also vice mayor from 1923 to
1925.
Former Mayors Mariano Angeles and Simeon Rodriguez were
the ones who convinced Calimbas to run for the mayoralty post of
Orion in 1912. With the support of the two political leaders, Calimbas easily defeated former two-time Vice Mayor Pedro Hipolito.
During his two-year term as mayor, Calimbas was traumatized
by common people who started showing up at his house and office
asking for favors and financial support. This made him think twice
about his political career. In 1914, he chose his vice mayor, Francisco Urquisa, as the partys new standard bearer. Urquisa ran for
mayor and defeated the same Pedro Hipolito.
Calimbas only recognized the significance of being a politician
when his younger brother Donato was elected as the 7th mayor of
Orion in 1916. He saw how his brother spent a fortune during the
campaign period and while administering the affairs of the town.
He was also inspired to make a comeback. He ran for mayor in
1921, in place of the aging Simeon Rodriguez. Unfortunately, Orion
residents did not forget his actuations during his first term. They
voted for another candidate, Perfecto Evangelista, instead. The defeat, however, did not stop him from pursuing his political career..
He ran and won as vice mayor in 1923 against Paulo Venegas. He
served together with Mayor Fausto Paguio. In 1925, the PaguioCalimbas tandem sought for a second term. Both of them lost to the
Manuel R. Santos-Agustin Angeles team.
CALUNGUSAN
CALUNGUSAN is one of the so-called lowland barangays of

Orion, just like its neighbors, Bantan, Camachile and Sto. Domingo. In addition to its rural status, Calungusan does not have a
coastline to speak of. Camachile is its eastern boundary. It is
bounded on the north by Bantan, and on the south and west by
Sto. Domingo.
The barangay has a land area of 124.32 hectares and a population of 1,156 (as per 2000 Census). It is accessible through the
Bataan National Road.
The barangay derived its name from the word lungos which
means a land projection from the sea. Documents have it that
Calungusan was the first barrio established under the jurisdiction of Abucay sometime in 1588, when Orion town proper was
still non-existent. Orion was only established as a regular town
on April 30, 1667. It was originally composed of Pandam and
Calungusan.
Calungusan
Barangayhood: March 23, 1964
Fiesta: June 29
Patron: St. Peter
River: Calungusan River
School: Calungusan Elem. School
Placess of Interest:
Remedios Subdivision
Villa Elizabeth
St. Peter and Paul Church
Calungusan
Calungusan along the Bataan National Road
It was the original settlers of Calungusan who cleared the Poblacion area where the Dominican priests have constructed the
St. Michael The Archangel Parish.
During the Spanish period, Calungusan was planted to sugar
cane. The original families who laboured in the fields were the
Agustins, Marianos, De Leons, Gozons and Reyeses. Sugar cane
became their primary source of livelihood. Unfortunately, drinking sugar cane wine became their favorite past time which
made them drunk most of the time.
Another source of income of the people was the manufacture
of indigo dyes. These were sold to Chinese merchants coming
from Manila. Cascos moored in the river near the barrio transported the merchandise to Manila.
The residents suffered economic difficulties when the Japanese occupied the barangay during World War II. They were
forced to evacuate to Mariveles or crossed Manila Bay to get
away from the hostilities of war. For the last 60 years, however,
peace prevailed in Calungusan. Surprisingly, the barangay is
emerging as a future economic center of Orion.
MAP OF ORION
Ernesto V. Hernandez
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Ruben F. Catalan
Norberto H. Basilio
Rolando R. Dulay
Norlito B. Reyes
Eduardo D. Roxas Sr.
Apolinario M. Dumandan
Marilou G. Usi
Jason S. Guson (SK)
Mariano Cruz
Alfonso Agustin
Teodorico Mariano
Ponciano de Leon
Pedro Gozon
Delfin Reyes
43
CALUNGUSAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CALUNGUSAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is the public learning institution serving the educational needs of children in the
barangay. The school campus is strategically located at the corner of the Bataan National Road and Camachile Street, beside
the Calungusan barangay hall.
It was former Mayor Manuel R.Santos who initiated the establishment of the barrio school sometime in 1960. The initial
building was erected on a 5,000 square meter lot formerly used
for agricultural purposes. It became a complete school in 1971.
The school started as a primary school (grades I-IV). Children
from Camachile enrolled at Calungusan Elementary School to
complete their elementary education.
The two schools were once under one school head.
In August 1966, the Sangguniang Bayan of Orion wanted to
rename the Calungusan school as Balagtas Elementary School,
in honor of Francisco Baltazar. The proposal, first intended for
Grade pupils of Calungusan
Capunitan Elementary School, was shelved with finality after
Balagtas was formally established as a regular barangay in 1972.
The present Calungusan Elementary School has eight rooms,
six of which are being used as classrooms. It also has an open
stage. However, on special occasions the school uses the nearby
barangay covered court.
enrollment of 134 children. Carmelita F. Llamzon is the current
school care-taker. She is being assisted by six regular teachers.
Carmelita Llamzon, school

care-taker, and six regular
teachers in Calungusan
Former Administrators
Lope Vitangcol
Avelina Cruz
Guillermo Dizon
Rodrigo Sapuyot
Josefina Merquiado
Filomena Buhain
Zenaida Isidro
The campus of Calungusan Elementary School

44
CAMACHILE
Camachile
Road leading to the barangay
CAMACHILE is a coastal barangay located north of the town

proper. It is bounded on the north and west by Calungusan, on
the south by Sto. Domingo and on the east by Manila Bay. The
barangay measures some 64.26 hectares and populated by 1,466
inhabitants, based on 2000 Census. The barangay is accessible
from the Bataan National Road via the Camachile Street.
The name of the barangay came from the popular wild fruit
tree called camachile which grows abundantly in the area.
Camachile was once part of Barangay Sto. Domingo until it
was separated in 1907. Others claimed that the year of separation was 1914. Camachiles formal recognition as a regular
barangay was recorded in 1915, during the term of Maximino
delos Reyes as governor and Francisco Urquisa as mayor of
Orion. The barangay had been ruled by cabezas since the early
Spanish period.
The originals families who settled in Camachile include the
Quichos, Marianos, Signios, Agustins, Reyeses, Davids, and Sto.
Domingos.
During the Spanish time, inhabitants of Camachile were ordered by authorities to relocate to Sto. Domingo and Calungusan. Persons suspected of being involved in subversive activities were made to drink salt water called tasik, upon the
insistence of the Macabebe mercenaries.
Prior to the advent of World War II, Camachile was designated as one of the training centers of civilians in the province
who enlisted in the Philippine Army. After the fall of Bataan, the
place became an evacuation center. Epidemics and other deadly
diseases spread quickly and residents were forced to leave the
area. The people only returned after the barrio was pronounced
safe from diseases and from the ruthless Japanese soldiers.
On December 21, 1944, the Japanese soldiers returned to the
barrio and burned the whole village. They rounded up some 87
suspected guerillas and executed them at the garrison in Balanga.
After the war, the residents were able to reconstruct their
homes through war damage payments received from the American-Philippine War Damage Commission.
MAP OF ORION
Camachile
Area: 64.26 hectare
Barangayhood: 1915
Fiesta: October 24
Patron: San Rafael
River: Calungusan River
School: Camachile ES
Place of Interest: Seashore
Felipe M. Paguio
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Danilo P. David
Nelia A. Venegas
Belen H. Gatungan
Froilan D. Cruz
Miguel A. Cruz
Efren G. Sto. Domingo
Bernardo Q. Rosete
Laarni G. Roxas (SK)
Lucio Angeles
C. Sto. Domingo
Victor Quezon
Domingo Quezon
Pedro Calano
Urbano Sto. Domingo
Domingo Quezon
Urbano Sto. Domingo
Maximo Isidro
Pedro Quicho
Urbano Valenzuela
Maximo Isidro
Pedro Quicho
Nicanor Balan
Pablo Llamson
1904-1913
1913-1921
1922-1925
1926-1930
1930-1932
1933-1934
1935-1936
1937-1940
1940-1943
1943-1944
1945-1946
1947-1948
1949-1950
1951-1952
1952-1953
45
CAMACHILE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The campus of Camachile school
Elementary pupils of Camachile
Earliest Teachers
Juan Quicho
Cezario Lyco
Anita Acua
1961
1962
1963
Lope Vitangcol
1978
Guillermo Mateo
1980
Rodrigo Sapuyot
1983
Filomena Buhain
1988
Daniel Patungan
1991
Fe Angeles
1995
Zenaida Isidro
1997
The teaching force of Camachile.

led by Teresita Ordiales,
the principal.
46
CAMACHILE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL takes care of the educational obligation of the local government to educate the children of this coastal barangay. The public learning center was formally established as a primary school (Grade I to Grade IV) in
1961 with Juan Quicho and Mrs. Malolis as the first teachers. It
became a complete institution in 1980, during the term of former
Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique.
Records showed that the Sangguniang Bayan of Orion already proposed the establishment of a school in Camachile as
early as 1953. The project was only realized in 1958 with the
opening of an informal classroom for Grade I pupils. The
barangay chapel was initially used for the purpose. The first four
-classroom building was finally constructed in 1961 after the local government expropriated a 3,928 square meter lot which was
used as school campus.
The school held its first graduation exercises in 1980.
For the school year 2005-2006, Camachile Elementary
School has eight regular classrooms and a total population of
138 pupils. Teresita R. Ordiales is the current school principal.
Seven regular teachers are assigned in Camachile.
CANDIDO, ALEJO
Caminong Putol Incident
Place where Caminong Putol ambush happened
Artists sketch of the Caminong

Putol ambush
The CAMINONG PUTOL INCIDENT refers to the ambush attempt committed by Filipino revolutionaries against American
soldiers who were merely passing through Barangay Sto. Domingo on their way to Orion town proper. The Americans were
involved in a pacification campaign in an effort to win the cooperation of the local residents.
It was American Major William Henry, Captain John Gouldman, Lieutenant Maury and Provost Marshall Lt. Miller and soldiers of the United States Cavalry who entered Sto. Domingo in
September 1899 to establish contact with the people and town
officials of Orion.
Local revolutionaries, informed in advance of the Americans
plan to visit Orion, immediately set up an ambush position in
Caminong Putol, Santo Domingo. The rebels were led by
Gaudencio Mendigoren of Abucay and Francisco Walang
Sugat Dinglas of Mariveles. The ambush was consummated
and only lasted a couple of minutes. The Americans retreated
without any casualty and got away from the pursuing rebels.
An hour later, the Americans returned with more troops, including Macabebe mercenaries who made a quick turn-about
from their former Spanish masters. The Americans burned the
whole barrio of Sto. Domingo after failing to locate the rebels
who were responsible for the ambush. The Macabebes, on the
other hand, committed a series of abuses on the local residents.
CANDIDO, Alejo
Alejo Candido was the vice mayor of Orion from 1934 to 1937
who served with Mayor Valeriano Soriano. He won over
Mariano Mejia who was the runningmate of Jose Baltazar. In
1937 he lost to Estanislao Cuevas. He was also known as one of
the incorporators of JRI-Orion.
American volunteers take a rest after

a pacification campaign
Candido Alejo
47
CAPUNITAN
Capunitan:
Area: 7.37 hectares
Barangayhood: 1875 April 20, 1964
Fiesta: May 20
Patron: Resurrected Christ
River: Capunitan River
School: Capunitan Elem. School
Place of Interest:
Depensa
Capunitan
CAPUNITAN is one of the so-called lowland barangays of

Orion. It is a small parcel of land which was the subject of an old
boundary dispute between Barangays Wakas, Lusungan and Lati.
To resolve the issue, the former town officials declared the area
as an independent barangay in 1875 and named it Capunitan.
Capunitan, according to local legends, was derived from the
Tagalog word punit which means a parcel, a separate portion or
partition cut from the whole. Legends have it that the barangay
used to be a vast area but it got smaller as a result of the continuous erosion in the vicinity of Depensa caused by the strong
waves coming from the sea..
The barangay is presently bounded in the north by Lusungan,
and in the south by Daan Pare, and in the west by Villa Angeles.
Manila Bay is its eastern boundary. It has a land area of 7.37
hectares which is inhabited by 3,900 people, the second biggest
barangay in terms of population.
The Magtanongs and Arcegas were the first families to settle
in the area. They were followed by the Cruzes and Guzmans.
The community was established as a regular barrio in 1875 with
Gregorio Isidro at its first teniente del barrio.
MAP OF ORION
Rolando S. Hatol
Punong Barangay
Barangay Kagawad
Florencia S. Navarro
Rogelio C. Madlangsakay
Rico P. Swin
Ernesto A. Ferrer
Virginia G. Cruz
Reymundo B. Cruz
Loida A. Gigante
Daryl A. Cervantes (SK)
Gregorio Isidro 1875
Tiburcio Reyes
Marcos Pangilinan
Francisco Guzman
Marcelo Guzman
Gregorio Gabriel
Pablo Swin
Arturo Cruz
Rafael Madlangsakay
Ando Cruz
Victoriano Swin
Erin Swin
Pedro Madlangsakay
48
It was noted that the majority of Orion residents who joined

the Philippine Revolution in the fight against Spanish tyranny
from 1898 to 1901 came from Capunitan.
During World War II, inhabitants of the barrio evacuated to
Hagonoy, Bulacan and nearby towns of Pampanga. Still, all the
houses in Capunitan were burned down by the Japanese in April
1942 while the siege of Daan Pare was going on. About one-half
of the residents perished during the entire war period.
Incidentally, Capunitan played as temporary host to the first
public high school established in Orion. It was the late Mayor
Gabriel L. Manrique who opened the first Orion Municipal High
School then known as Balagtas High School inside the campus
of the Capunitan Elementary School. It was inaugurated in June
1974. Unfortunately, the school closed in 1984 when the financial capability of the local government can no longer sustain its
operation as a result of the on-going political crisis in the country.
CAPUNITAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CAPUNITAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL opened to the public

in June 1950, during the term of Mayor Agustin L. Angeles
(1946-1947, 1947-1951). He donated the initial lot he owned in
Capunitan which was used as the school site. Just like the other
barrio schools, it started as a primary learning institution offering
classes from Grades I to II.
The school remained an incomplete school through the years.
Children from Capunitan and the surrounding areas (Villa Angeles, Lusungan, Daan Bago and Wawa) continued to enroll at
Orion Elementary School to finish elementary education.
It was Mayor Ricardo T. Angeles, of San Vicente, who completed the said school before his term ended in 1967. In fact, the
Sangguniang Bayan of Orion had already passed a resolution to
rename the school as Balagtas Elementary School. Unfortunately, it did not materialize because he lost to Mayor Gabriel L.
Manrique of Daan Bago.
Mayor Manrique, realizing the importance of Angeles project, took good care of the Capunitan Elementary School. He
built wider and better access roads leading to the school. In time,
Capunitan Elementary School became the envy of other schools
in town in terms of facilities and quality education. It was even
used as site of the initial Orion Municipal High School, then
known as Balagtas High School.
For the School Year 2005-2006, the elementary school had 22
teachers and 829 pupils. Carina F. Lulu is the school principal.
Maria Rodriguez
Marina Santos
Carolina B. Baluyot
Marietta Macalinao
Belen Rubiano
Elementary pupils
Orion Municipal High School

In 1966, Mayor Ricardo T. Angeles opened the first Orion Municipal High School inside the campus of Capunitan Elementary
School. The so-called Balagtas
High School operated for two
years and then closed as the
Bataan School of Fisheries in
Daan Bago became operational.
In 1974, Mayor Manrique reopened the Orion Municipal High
School in Capunitan. More classrooms and facilities were added
to the school. The said high
school closed for the second time
in 1984 due to lack of funds.
A new Orion National High
School opened in Barangay
Balagtas in June 2002.
The teachers of Capunitan
49
CATALAN, TEODORO T.
Teodoro T. Catalan
Councilor, 1971-1976, 1976-1980
1980-1986
Teodoro T. Catalan
was married to Cresencia Dizon
Santos with whom he had seven
children: Virgilio, Edilberto,
Aurora, Teodoro Jr., Emerita, Socorro and Alfredo.
The Roman Catholic Cemetery at the

back of St. Michael Church.
Orion public cemetery in Sabatan
50
CATALAN, Teodoro T.
TEODORO TRAJANO CATALAN (1920-1992) was the vice
mayor of Orion from February 1988 until January 1992.
Catalan was born in Bilolo, Orion on May 11, 1920. He came from
a poor family but was lucky enough to finish his elementary education. While in his teens, he worked odd jobs, mostly in the farm. Later
on, he was employed at the Del Rosario Brothers Appliances in
Balanga, starting as an ordinary helper. He was promoted to a managerial position after a few years as a result of his good performance.
After his stint at DRB, he became a sales agent of Ysmael Steel at
the companys regional office in Pampanga.
His first attempt at politics was in 1970 when he ran for a councilors seat in Orion. He belonged to the Liberal Party ticket of former
Mayor Ricardo T. Angeles. It was Mayor Gabriel L. Manriques Nationalista Ticket which won at the polls. Catalan was the only survivor
from his party. Surprisingly, he and Manrique became good friends
and partymates.
Back in 1973, Catalan became the area manager of Palayan ng
Bayan, a Green Revolution project initiated by First Lady Imelda
Marcos. The project was launched in Hacienda Arrienda, Barangay
Gen. Lim. It was acknowledged as one of the countrys success stories.
Manrique, Catalan and all members of the Sangguniang Bayan
were removed from office in 1986 as a result of the EDSA Revolution. During the 1988 local polls, he ran for vice mayor, together with
mayoralty aspirant Manuel C. Santos, Jr. Both of them emerged as
winners.
Catalan, died on January 5, 1992 and lost the chance to run for reelection that same year. It was Virgilio, the eldest son, who continued
the familys political career. Virgilio was elected as councilor in 2001
and was re-elected in May 2004.
Cemetery
Orion has three cemeteries at present. These are the Evergreen Memorial Park, Orion Catholic Cemetery and Orion Municipal Cemetery
(originally called Villa Panteon). These cemeteries are located in
Barangays Balagtas, San Vicente and Sabatan, respectively. Ricardo
Navarro and Francisco Urquiza donated the lots intended for the veterans but later on became the public cemetery. The existing arc was donated by La Dicha, a cigarette company.
The privately-owned Evergreen Memorial Park is the biggest of the
three with an area of 41,786 square meters. The Catholic and Municipal cemeteries have 15,285 and 16,794 square meters, respectively.
The two public cemeteries are currently having shortage of burial
vaults and improper road circulation. Hence, expansion or relocation of
crowded burial vault is recommended. Proper road zoning is also recommended so that there would be suitable ingress and egress inside the
two public cemeteries especially during All Souls Day in November.
CHRISTIANITY
Orion 2000 Census
Census
CENSUS pertains to the official count of the population in a locality. It also includes the characteristics of the resident, sex, family
size and occupation. The National Statistics Office, which maintains
a provincial office in Balanga City, conducts the census. The figures
are used to determine how many members each congressional district will have in the House of Representatives.
The office also conducts various censuses of businesses, transportation, agriculture and fishing industry in a locality. These censuses are conducted more frequently than the population census. At
present, census is being held every subsequent term of five years.
The first official statistics on Orions population was recorded at
4,000 in 1946. The 2000 census found the population figure at
44,067.
As per 2000 Census, Bataan has a total population of 557,659.
District One has 255,384 residents, while District Two has 302,275.
Christianity
CHRISTIANITY is the religion based on the teachings of Jesus
Christ. It is the major religion in the Philippines, where Orion, of
the total population of 44,067, 38,000 ,ore or less are Roman
Catholics.
Hinduism and Islam were believed to be the two major religions which reached the shores of Bataan. Muslim historians
were one in saying that the religion of the early Malay settlers
who set foot in Bataan and the rest of Luzon was Islam. They
said it is the very reason why they call the present-day Christians
who embraced the Islamic faith as Balik-Islam. Based on records the early natives who settled in many established communities in the country were branded as pagans by the early Spanish missionaries.
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest single religious
group in Orion and in the rest of the country ever since. The
other significant Christian groups include the Iglesia ni Cristo,
Baptists, Church of the Latter Day Saints, Aglipayans, Methodists...
Barangay
Arellano
Bagumbayan
Balagtas
Balut
Bantan
Bilolo
Calungusan
Camachile
Capunitan
Daan Bago
Daan Bilolo
Daan Pare
General Lim
Lati
Lusungan
Puting Buhangin
Sabatan
San Vicente
Santa Elena
Sto. Domingo
Villa Angeles
Wakas
Wawa
Total
Population
714
1,431
1,560
1,070
1,490
3,936
1,156
1,466
3,900
1,145
2,484
3,593
2,301
1,533
1,709
2,217
2,583
1,281
1,128
3,063
1,605
950
1,752
44,067
Jesus Christ
51
CHRISTIANIZATION
St. Michael Church
...Jehovahs Witnesses, Dating Daan, Born-Again Christians, living Church of God and Muslims.
For the Catholics of Orion, the St. Michael The Archangel
Parish is the center of all religious activities. The first church
was built in the town center, beside the present municipal building in 1667. It was rehabilitated in the late 1890s after it was
devastated by an earthquake in 1852.
Outlying barangays like Bilolo, Bantan, Sto. Domingo, Daan
Pare, Sabatan, Camachile, Santa Elena, Puting Buhangin and
General Lim have established their respective chapels. The St.
Peter and Paul Church in Calungusan is the second of the two
parochial churches in Orion.
Christianization
A priest among his flock
A new Christian is born
Procession rituals
52
CHRISTIANIZATION of the Filipinos was based on a reduccion plan presented by various Spanish missions in the country
and approved by the Synod of Manila in 1582. In establishing
the pueblos (towns), Spanish priests were ordered to set up
churches and chapels in areas under their jurisdiction. In addition, they resided where the church and convent were constructed. All new Christian converts were required to build their
houses around the church. Even the unbaptized ones were told to
do the same.
Aside from the church, missionaries assigned in Orion also
built spacious living quarters where the sick natives were
brought in and taken care of. In time, the natives realized that
living closer to the center of the town was for their own welfare
and protection.
The friars also led in building roads and bridges in Orion to
connect swampy areas to the center of the town. They even designed and built warehouses called kamalig to shelter the rice
and other farm products from the weather.
In addition, a systematic form of education was introduced by
the friars. Residents of Orion, both young and old, were taught by
the missionaries themselves the Christian doctrines, the three Rs,
vocal and instrumental music and handicrafts in the conventos.
Years later, the friars were replaced by community workers
(teachers, doctors, artists, nuns, engineers, writers, printers, musicians, architects and others) who were from Spain.
The Spaniards also utilized the novel sights, sounds, and even
the smell of Christian rites and rituals like the colorful and
pompous processions, songs, candle-lights, elaborate costumes
during the May festivals (Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan), the
lighting of fireworks, the Senakulo and the Moro-moro (Christian
versus Muslim conflict dramas) as strategies of enticing the Filipinos. Fiestas honoring the saints were also introduced.
All these strategies hypnotized the indios and attracted them
to embrace the Catholic religion.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Major establishments
Bataan Commercial Enterprises
Elizabeth Bakery
Freds Mart
Bravo Grocery
Vercons
Sandigan Lumber
St. Michael Hospital
Total Gasoline Station
There are 32 major financial institutions in Orion. The list includes14 cooperatives, 10 pawnshops, three lending investors
and five banks. None of these banks, however, are of the national category.
There are several types of business services in the municipality. There are approximately 444 business services in Orion.
These could be classified into 14 types. About 385 out of the 444
are sari-sari stores.
Other types of business services include school and office
supplies, groceries, and agricultural equipment and supplies.
There are also three gasoline stations in town: Petron, Caltex,
and Total.
Meanwhile, there are 74 establishments offering personal services. These types of establishments include small canteens,
beauty parlors, funeral parlors, and computer shops.
Some of the major commercial establishments in Orion include the St. Michael Hospital, Vercons, Bataan Commercial
Enterprises, Elizabeth Grocery and Bakery, Freds Mart, Bravo
Grocery and Sandigan Lumber.
Freds Mart
Sari-sari store
Vercons Supermart
Petron gasoline station
Bataan Commercial Enterprises
Elizabeths
53
CRISTOBAL, ALBERTO
CRISTOBAL, Alberto
Alberto Cristobal
Mayor, 1956-1959
Estanislao Cuevas
1941-1942
Councilor, 1934-1937
54
ALBERTO CRISTOBAL was the 20th mayor of Orion. He administered the affairs of the municipality from 1956 to 1959.
Mayor Cristobal was a native of Barangay Daan Bago who made a
name for himself as a succcesful businessman in Manila. He returned
to Orion in 1951 on the advice of former Mayor Agustin Angeles
who had decided not to run for a third term during the 1951 local elections. In his place, he supported the candidacy of Cristobal who ran
against a veteran politician, former Mayor Manuel R. Santos. Santos
and his runningmate, Quirino Quicho, emerged as the poll winners.
The loss however did not deter Cristobal in running for the same
post in the 1955 election. He teamed up for the second time with
Andres Buenaventura and challenged the leadership of Mayor Santos.
It was a successful attempt. The Cristobal-Buenaventura tandem won
at the polls.
The Cristobal-Santos political rivalry did not end after the 1955
polls. They met for the third time in 1959. The CristobalBuenaventura team was fitted against the Manuel Santos-Jose Quicho
ticket. The polls did not favor the incumbents. Manuel Santos and
Jose Quicho won in a landslide victory. In 1963, Cristobal stayed
away from politics and annointed Bernardo Pizarro to run against Ricardo Angeles.
CUEVAS, Estanislao
ESTANISLAO CUEVAS was the Vice Mayor of Orion from
1938 to 1941 and 1941 to 1942. He was second in command during the administrations of Mayor Agapito Rivera, the 15th
mayor, and Arsenio Joco, the 16th mayor of Orion.
Cuevas, a native of Lati, was the number one councilor of
Orion from 1934 to 1937, during the administration of Mayor
Valeriano American Boy Soriano. When Agapito Rivera of
San Vicente challenged Mayor Sorianos supremacy during the
1937 polls, he (Rivera) selected Cuevas as runningmate. The
Rivera-Cuevas combination proved too dazzling and potent
against the Soriano-Alejo Candido team. Cuevas outpolled incumbent Vice Mayor Candido by 1,102 votes.
Rivera and Cuevas sought re-election in 1941. Rivera was not
lucky the second time around. He lost to Arsenio Joco of Wakas.
Cuevas, on the other hand, was re-elected vice-mayor. Unfortunately, he was not able to finish his term due to the advent of
World War II. He and his family evacuated to Hagonoy and
spent the rest of the war years in Bulacan. Mayor Joco remained
in Orion and served until 1945.
Cuevas returned to Orion after the war. He ran for mayor in
1947 as an independent candidate. It was a fight among incumbent Mayor Agustin I. Angeles, former Mayor Emiliano Navarro
and Cuevas. In the end, it was Angeles who prevailed at the
polls.
DAAN BAGO
DAAN BAGO is a periphery barangay of Orion and at the same
time a coastal community. It is bounded on the north by Wawa,
on the south by Lusungan, on the east by Manila Bay and on the
west by Lati. It is accessible via the Gabriel Manrique-Landing
Street which connects the area to the Bataan National Road.
It was established as a regular barangay on July 24, 1961, together with Lati, Wakas and Wawa, as per Orion Municipal
Council Resolution No. 40, dated January 1961. Its creation was
initiated by former Mayor Manuel R. Santos and approved by
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan.
At present, Barangay Daan Bago has a total land area of 8.38
hectares. Orion River is its main river tributary. It is populated
by 1,145 inhabitants.
Three of the well-known residents of Daan Bago include former Mayor Alberto Cristobal (1956-1959), Mayor Gabriel L.
Manrique (1967-1986) and the current mayor of Orion, Antonio
L. Raymundo Jr. (2001-2004 and 2004 to present). The barangay
also hosts the Bataan School of Fisheries.
Dd
Daan Bago
Area: 8.38 hectares
Barangayhood: July 24, 1961
Fiesta: May 8
River: Orion River
School: - Bat. School of Fisheries
Places of Interest:
San Vicente River
Bataan School of Fisheries
Juinio Street
Daan Bago
MAP OF ORION
Carlito F. Ayuste
Punong Barangay
JUINIO STREET. The major street in Daan Bago where the Bataan School of
Fisheries and other plushy residences are located.
The barangay gained additional land mass starting in the early

1960s after the Bataan School of Fisheries was established on
the eastern side of Juinio Street. The construction necessitated a
major reclamation project in the barangay. The adjoining areas
were also filled up and converted into a residential community.
To protect the residents from the tide coming from Manila
Bay, the foreshore area was planted with mangrove trees which
eventually became a fish sanctuary.
Daan Bago has a barangay hall, barangay plaza and a day
care center. Children pursuing primary education enroll at Pablo
Roman Elementary School, Capunitan Elementary School and
Orion Elementary School.
Kagawad
Romeo S. Agulto
Gloria L. Malonzo
Alberto B. Pangilinan Sr.
Agusto Abejar
Henry G. Alarcon
Roberto T. Garcia
Angelito Flordeliz
Abigael B. Gabriel (SK)
Gavino Quicho
Miguel Cruz
Angel Mariano
Emiliano Garcia
Delfin Gabriel
Flordeliza Sabino
Belen Bautista
55
DAAN BILOLO
Daan Bilolo
MAP OF ORION
Daan Bilolo
Barangayhood: 1928
Fiesta: May 8
River: Bilolo River
San Vicente (Orion) River
School: Orion Elementary School
Barangay Day Care Center

Antonio E. Almazan
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Flordeliza P. Pangilinan
Lovito C. de Guzman
Dionisia A. San Jose
Nestor M. Magsino
Gloria R. Pascual
Rolando U. Bagtas
Lamberto S. Sabino
John Carlo P. Navarro (SK)
Francisco Roman
Emmanuel V. Quicho
Elpidio Pizarro
Felixberto Baluyot
Miguel Morales
Rogelio Pangilinan
Pablo Llamado
56
Daan Bilolos Manrique Street
DAAN BILOLO is located at the town proper of Orion. It is

bounded on the north by San Vicente, on the south by Daan Pare,
on the east by Wakas, and on the west by Bilolo and Sabatan.
The San Vicente River is its main water tributary. Daan Bilolo
has a total land area of 44.09 hectares and inhabited by 2,494
people based on 2000 Census.
A major access road, starting from the Bataan National Road,
passes through the length of Daan Bilolo going west. The said
road was named Gabriel Manrique Street. It connects the national
road to the Roman Expressway. The same road links Daan Bilolo
to Barangay Bilolo.
During the Spanish time, Daan Bilolo was a part of Barangay
Wakas (then known as Barangay de Hipolito dela Cruz). Only
the eastern portion fronting the main road of Orion was dotted
with houses at that time. It remained in such condition for many
years even after the Orion Elementary School was established in
the area in 1907.
Daan Bilolo was still non-existent as a barangay after new
barangays were created in 1915 by former Governor Maximino
delos Reyes. The former agricultural area remained a part of
Barangay Wakas until Governor Gregorio Quicho, a native of
Orion, decided to create Daan Bilolo as a regular barangay in
1928.
Barangay Daan Bilolo finally expanded after the existing trailway to then Sitio Bilolo was widened and improved in the late
1930s. In a short period, new houses were erected in the southern
bank of San Vicente River. The first ice plant in Orion named
Alma Ice Plant was established in the area but no longer exist. In
time, the place became a populated community.
Despite the earlier creation of Daan Bilolo as a barangay, former Mayor Manuel R. Santos, deemed it necessary to pass another resolution on July 24, 1961, proclaiming both Daan
Bilolo and Wakas as separate and regular barangays.
In 1967, the Sangguniang Bayan of Orion also passed a resolution renaming Daan Bilolo as Nayong Magiting. But the residents protested and the resolution was shelved.
The barangay continues to play host to Orion Elementary
School.
DAAN PARE
DAAN PARE is one of the southern barangays of Orion. It is
bounded on the north by Wakas, Daan Bilolo and Sabatan, on
the south by Sta. Elena and Puting Buhangin, on the east by Manila Bay and on the west by Bilolo. It covers an area of 1,258.19
hectares, the second largest barangay in the municipality, next to
General Lim (Kaput). It is also the second largest barangay in
terms of population, 3,593 people as of year 2000.
The name Daan Pare was attributed to the road which connects to Limay, a former barrio of Orion. It was ordered built
by Fr. Miguel Fuster (parish priest of Orion from 1829-1846) to
lessen the burden on people who had to use the sea route just to
get to Limay during the Spanish period.
The old name of the place was Barangay de Lorenzo Calma,
in honor of the acknowledged first settler and cabeza de barangay of the area. It became a regular barangay in 1915 and took
the name Daan Pare.
Daan Pare
Area: 1,258.19 hectares
Barangayhood: 1915
Fiesta: June 13
Patron: San Antonio de Padua
River: Pandam River
School: Daan Pare Elem. School
Places of Interest:
Datimpugad
Pulta Point
MAP OF ORION
Daan Pare
Present Sangguniang Barangay

Teodoro N. Anza
Punong Barangay
Daan Pares south gate
Daan Pare initially covered a vast tract of land, to include the

former sitios of Puting Buhangin, Pulong Bato, Mantigbe (now
Sta. Elena) and Pandam. The original settlers of the place were
Lorenzo Calma, Manuel Trajano, Hilario Cruz, Pantaleon Cruz,
Alejo Agulto, Macario Agustin, Isidro Cruz, Julian Lopez and
Julian Mendoza.
Daan Pare was the site of several ambuscades during the Philippine Revolution. It was in the same area called Pulta where
Victor Baltazar and his 1,000 revolutionaries ambushed the
troops of Spanish Lieutenant Gomez who were returning to
Orion after conducting a survey of Limay on May 29, 1898.
It can also be told that then Major Manuel L. Quezon made
Daan Pare his eastern bailiwick during the Filipino-American
War. A man named Buting allegedly took care of him when
he was afflicted with severe skin diseases.
Kagawad
Carmelita C. Cruz
Vivencio R. Triste
Leopoldo B. Ramos
Virgilio C. Matic
Pablo C. Quicho
Reynaldo G. Calimbas
Fermin V. Rodriguez
Ma. Yvette P. Crisostomo (SK)
Benito Lopez
Felimon Ramos
Fausto Agulto
Teodoro Lopez
Sinforoso Evangelista
Manuel Trajano
Delfin Baluyot
Pedro Crisostomo
Ramonito Morales
Inday Baluyot
57
DAAN PARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The barangay became a hallowed ground in 1942 when
Daan Pare
USAFFE
soldiers put up another fortification in the area after the
was designated as an evacuation center during the first
fall of the Mount Samat Defense Line. It turned out to be the last
months of World War II (1942)
line of defense by the USAFFE against the advancing Japanese
when the Japanese Army was
Army. The Japanese also killed wounded USAFFE soldiers, baradvancing into Bataan. The cenrio residents and evacuees they found in the area. Those who
ter was dismantled after the
were caught hiding in the Mamala River area and nearby mounOrion-Bagac Defense Line collapsed.
tains were also killed.
After the war, the residents were able to reconstruct their destroyed or burned down houses through payments they received
from the Philippine-American War Damage Commission. Even
the schoolbuilding in the barrio was reconstructed.
Daan Pare Elementary School
Daan Pare schoolground
Arsenia Bundalian and the

teachers of Daan Pare
Students of Daan Pare
First Batch of graduates of Daan

Pare Elementary School
Former School Administrators:

Magdalena Lazaro
1969-1976
Marina Santos
1976-1977
Candelaria Mariano
1977-1982
Danilo Santos
1982-1984
Daniel Patungan Sr.
1984-1987
Danilo Santos
1987-1996
Carina Lulu
1997-2002
58
DAAN PARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was established in

1940 as a primary learning center (Grades I, II, III and IV). Mr.
Tiangco was the schools first teacher. The other pioneer teachers include Juan Quicho, Angelo Payumo, Ofelia Reyes, Erlinda
Lopez, Preciosa Monterico, Asuncion Bautista, Juanita Andres,
Miguel Cruz, Leticia Quicho and Gilda Paglingayen. The school
initially served the children of Barangays Daan Pare, Sabatan,
Sta. Elena and Puting Buhangin. It was used as barracks by Japanese soldiers during the war.
It was rehabilitated after the war and gradually became a
complete elementary school in 1969 through the efforts of former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique (1967-1986). From the original
5,000 square meter lot, the school currently has a 9,903 square
meter campus. In 1983, Mayor Gabriel Manrique established a
non-formal educational training center in welding for out-ofschool youth inside the Daan Pare Elementary School. It remained open until 1986.
For the School Year 2005-2006, the 14-classroom school had
an enrollment of 451 pupils. It increased to 462 during the SY
2006-2007. Arsenia N. Bundalian, the principal, and 14 regular
teachers provide the educational needs of the children of Daan
Pare.
DEATH MARCH
The fall of Bataan came when
the last line of organized resistance in Mt. Samat fell.
THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH of 1942 is considered as one

of the most brutal and inhumane acts committed by the Japanese
soldiers on Filipino-American troops during World War II. The
Bataan incident was not an isolated case. All over the Philippines, Filipino and American soldiers who surrendered to the
Japanese were made to walk hundreds of miles and then incarcerated in different concentration camps. Ranking USAFFE officers, especially Americans, were brought to Camp ODonnell in
Capas, Tarlac for further confinement. The Death March is often
compared to the atrocities brought upon millions of Jews who
were gassed to death inside German camps at the height of the
Nazi Occupation in Europe.
The infamous Bataan March started on April 10, 1942, the
same day when General Edward P. King was brought to Balanga
Elementary School to sign the final documents of surrender of
the 50,000 surviving USAFFE soldiers who fought in Bataan
from January to April of 1942.
Lt. Col. Fidel Ongpauco, in his book They Refused to Die,
wrote that the USAFFE prisoners-of-war were told by the Japanese that they will march from Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga in three days. Upon reaching Pampanga, the prisoners
were sent home as free men. This explains why the prisoners
gathered in Mariveles and Bagac joined the march without hesitation. Col. Ongpuaco added that at the start, the Japanese showed
unbelievable kindness to the prisoners including the civilians
who also started returning to their homes after evacuating to
Mariveles and other southern towns. The Japanese even helped
some soldiers and officers who were too weak to walk. Some
were loaded into trucks and brought to Balanga for medication.
At some point, however, some prisoners broke away from the
line before reaching Pilar since very few Japanese guards were
watching them while the march was going on.
The Japanese were alarmed. Upon reaching Pilar, all prisoners
from Mariveles and Bagac were divided into groups of 100 and...
Prisoners prepare for the march
Victorious Japanese
American prisoners
59
DEATH MARCH
Kilometer Zero marker in Mariveles
were separately placed under the watch of two Japanese

guards each. In Balanga, they were given a pack of cooked rice
for supper. They spent the night at the back of the Balanga Elementary School.
The real Death March, according to Col. Ongpauco,
started after the prisoners left Balanga the following day. Prisoners who dared to run away from the line or refused to walk
were clubbed with rifle butts and long bamboo sticks, sometimes
to death. There were other inhumane treatments of prisoners during the last two stages of the march. Worst, the promise of freedom was not fulfilled by the Japanese when the prisoners
reached Pampanga. Instead, the marchers were loaded into train
coaches and sent to Camp ODonnell concentration camps in
Tarlac where more prisoners died.
Of the initial 60,000 Filipino and American soldiers who
fought in Bataan, only 41,147 reached Capas, Tarlac. The missing 19,000 either died in fierce battles in the peninsula or during
the Death March.
American and Filipino POWs being

loaded into train coaches on their
way to Capas, Tarlac
Kilometer Zero marker in Bagac

Artists sketch of Japanese guards using bamboo sticks on the prisoners.
Gen. Wainwright, right, announces

over the radio the total surrender of
Filipino- American soldiers.
60
Marchers pass through Orion

The residents of Orion gathered along the road as the starved and
beaten USAFFE soldiers passed through the municipality on the
first day of the infamous Death March. They risked the Japanese
ire in secretly passing water and whatever food they have to the
Filipino and American soldiers. It was a gesture of love and concern for all the heroes who fought in Bataan in the name of freedom and democracy. Other residents snatched a few marching
prisoners from the line and hid them safely. They also buried the
bodies of those soldiers who died on the road.
EDUCATION
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the early natives of Bataan and Orion,
in particular, already had a syllabary, a list of syllables serving the purpose of an alphabet, which was probably of Sanskrit or Arabic origin.
They wrote on the bark of trees, and on leaves and bamboo, using their
knives and pointed sticks or iron as pens and the colored saps of trees as
ink.
Just like the other towns in Bataan established by the Dominican
priests, Orion natives were also given the opportunity to learn how to
read, write and talk the Spanish way.
Formal education was introduced to Orion natives in 1668, a year after
Orion was recognized as a regular town with St. Michael the Archangel
as its patron saint. The priests themselves taught the young and the old
how to read and write. Using the church as classrooms, the Kartilya was
used as the first instructional material of the children. Later, it was replaced by the Katon which became the beginning reading book for all
students. It consisted of pictures, prayers, religious songs, lessons on numeracy and some common words and sentences in Spanish.
Other lessons were geared towards the needs of the missionaries in
their church activities. Praying and singing Church hymns were given
primary importance. Different instructional materials were also used during the Spanish period. No municipal or barrio school existed in Orion
during the period. Education was a complete monopoly of the church.
After the rehabilitation of the church which was damaged by a devastating earthquake in 1852, the whole ground floor of the convent was utilized as a parochial school. (It was the time when the municipal council
had completed the construction of the first municipio of Orion in its present site.) Some 300 boys and girls residing in the town proper enrolled at
the said school during its first year of operation. Another 100 children
coming from the periphery barangays enrolled in the same school the
following year.
Historical facts in the archives of the parish were totally lost due to a
big fire which razed the town in 1893. Whoever was responsible for
propagating education in Orion would remain anonymous.
Ee
Parochial School
The first formal school in Orion
was established in 1852. Some
300 children were enrolled during its initial year of operation.
School children in early times
Early Spanish missionaries start

teaching the young and the old. Missionaries were replaced later by community workers from Spain. They
introduced the Spanish educational
system in the country.
School children during Spanish time
61
EDUCATION
Division Superintendents:
Isabelo Manalo
1946-1948
Miguela M. Solis
1948-1950
Juan C. Laya
1950-1952
Victor de Leon, Conrado Genito
1955-1956
Florentino Capili
1956-1961
Pacifico Alvarez
1962-1966
Mariano Guevarra
1966-1967
Julia Mogol
1967-1968
Marcelino Santiago
1968-1970
Jose D. Forbes
1970-1972
Delfin R. Manuel
1972-1975
Tomas Carabeo
1975-1977
Mauricio Q. Pizarro 1977-1988
Carolina B. Tria
1988-1994
Norma P. Castillo
1995-2003
FLORDELIZA R. MAGDAY 2003-present
District Supervisors:
Joaquin Cornejo
Ester Calimbas
Pacita R. Bagtas
Dominador Jorge
Rosenda Consunji
Araceli Calimbas
Hilario Garcia
Julian Calimbas
Rosario de Guzman
Concordia A. Cunanan
Simona T. Mercado
Oliva A. Isip
Beata O. Samaniego
Elementary Schools
Public:
Bantan Elementary School
Bilolo Elementary School
Calungusan Elementary School
Camachile Elementary School
Capunitan Elementary School
Daan Pare elementary School
EVA-Aeta Elementary School
General Lim Elementary School
Orion Elementary School
Pablo R. Roman Elementary School
Puting Buhangin Elementary School
Sabatan Elementary School
Sta. Elena Elementary School
Sto. Domingo Elementary School
Private:
St. Michael Kinder and Elem. School
School of the Madeleine
St. Michael the archangel Academy
Gethsemane Kindergarten and elementary School
Orion Kiddie School
High Schools
Public: Orion National High School
Private: Jose Rizal Institute, St. Michael the Archangel Academy, School
of the Madeleine
Tertiary/Vocational: Bataan School of
Fisheries
62
The first public school opened in Orion in 1907, a few years

after the arrival of the Thomasites. These American teachers and
volunteers were tasked to propagate the American brand of education to the people. The Americans used education as tool to
colonize the country and at the same time to improve the living
conditions of the Filipinos.
The Orion Elementary School, which opened in Daan Bilolo
in 1907, then part of Barangay Wakas, became the major learning center in the municipality. It was here where the Thomasites and their Filipino counterparts fostered the learning of the
American language which explained why their first set of pupils
became good English speakers in terms of diction, enunciation
and pronunciation. Soon, more public schools were opened in
the barrios to bring free education to everybody. Co-education
was also introduced.
Orion had its first high school, the privately-owned Jose Rizal
Institute which opened formally in 1926. In 1968, JRI opened its
kindergarten and elementary schools. It was followed by the
Bataan School of Fisheries in Barangay Daan Bago in 1971.
It was only in 1968 that the first Orion Municipal High
School (better known as Balagtas High School) was established
in Barangay Capunitan, inside the campus of the Capunitan Elementary School. The school closed 10 years later. The present
Orion National High School opened in Barangay Balagtas in
June 2002.
At present, Orion has 14 public and five private elementary
schools, one national, one vocational and three private high
schools.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
Orion is collecting an average of three to four tons of mixed garbage daily. Wastes collected come from the households, commercial and industrial establishments, farms and agricultural areas and institutional sources such as hospitals, schools, churches
and other establishments.
The bulk of the waste collected comes from domestic
sources which is 70 percent of the total volume. Yard and fields
wastes make up a large portion (33%) of the wastes generated
from the locality. It means that at least one-third of Orions
waste is biodegradable and thus, has good environmental implication.
Solid waste segregation is being
Wastes coming from the commercial and industrial sources
implemented in Orion.
contribute 25% to the total volume. The Orion Public Market
alone shares 11% to the total waste generated in the locality.
Worst, the market waste is mixed with non-biodegradable waste
such as plastic containers and styrofoam as a result of noncompliance of some stall owners.
The rest of the collected wastes comes from institutional
sources.
Garbage collection is currently being done by the municipal
government. Only the waste from Barangay General Lim is not
collected by the three available garbage trucks.
Animal feeding is also a popular manner of disposing kitchen
garbage in Orion. This is mainly due to a high percentage of the
Protection of mangroove trees is part
population involved in piggery and poultry. About 10% of all the
of environmental concern
households in Orion, feed their food leftover to animals. Pick-up
service accounts for 26% of garbage truck collection disposal
while waste burning ranks third at 21%.
Still, there is a need for more orientation on segregation as
prescribed in the solid waste management (SWM) program of
the municipality. In addition to a monitoring office, funds are
also needed to procure segregation equipment.
The SWM project has already been implemented in Orion but
the ningas cogon attitude prevails at the barangay level. Sustainability of this project is a major concern of the municipality.
Tree planting is a sustainable project

in Orion.
Mayor Tony Pep Raymundo leads in

the regular Kontra Kalat sa Dagat
program in the municipality.
63
EVANGELISTA, PERFECTO
EVANGELISTA, Perfecto
PERFECTO EVANGELISTA was the 10th mayor of Orion. He
served from 1921 to 1923. He defeated Aproniano Tiambeng,
Orions 8th mayor.
He replaced Mayor Simeon Rodriguez who did not seek reelection. Also elected as vice mayor was Paulo Venegas. In his
re-election bid in 1923, Evangelista was defeated at the polls by
Fausto Paguio, a noted musician-composer.
Perfecto Evangelista
Mayor, 1921 - 1923
Ff
Atty. Fulgencio S. Factoran Jr.

Secretary DENR, 1987-1992
Chairman FPE, 1992-1996
Atty. Fulgencio S. Factoran Jr.

is married to Kay Mesina with
whom he has four children: Yazmin (lawyer), Gertrude Ann
(interior designer), Fulgencio III
(lawyer) and Roberto Carlo (AB
Social Science). The family resides in Tahanan Village,
Paranaque City.
64
FACTORAN, Fulgencio Jr.

FULGENCIO SANTOS FACTORAN JR. (1943- ) is a native
of Orion who served the country as Secretary of the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from 1987 to
1992, and Deputy Executive Secretary of former President Corazon C. Aquino (1986-1987).
Atty. Factoran was born on November 3, 1943 to parents
Atty. Fulgencio Factoran Sr. and Gloria Santos, a former school
principal. He earned his degrees in Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from the University of the Philippines-Manila in 1964 and
Bachelor of Laws, cum laude and valedictorian, from UPDiliman in 1967. He was a working student during his college
days. He passed the Bar examinations in 1968. He enrolled at the
Harvard University, USA, where he finished his Master of Laws
in 1969.
Upon his return to Manila, he became a legal staff member of
the Siguion Reyna Law Office (1969-1975) and later on, as partner in the Tanjuatco Oreta, Tanjuatco and Factoran Law Offices
(1975-1986). It was during this period that he co-founded the
Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism Inc. (MABINI) and served as one of its past presidents.
He took a break from private law practice after being appointed as Deputy Executive Secretary in the Office of the President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1987. Soon after, he served
as DENR Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
the National Electrification Administration (NEA) until 1992.
From 1992 to 1996, he was the chairman of the Board of Advisers of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE),
the largest non-government organization-managed endowment
fund for the environment in the Philippines. He also established
the Factoran and Associates Law Offices. His business affiliations include directorship in the Central Azucarera de Tarlac,
Geologists Inc., GAIA South Inc., and the Equitable PCI Bank,
Inc., the third largest commercial bank in the Philippines.
He remains active in non-government organizations (NGO)
work, being the chairman of the Board of Advisers of FPE, director of the Philippine Educational Theatrical Association
(PETA), and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
(CMFR), among other organizations.
FALL OF BATAAN
FALL OF BATAAN, known today as Araw ng Kagitingan, is a
national holiday. It is celebrated on April 9 of each year. Ironically, it was one of the significant events which led to the conquest of the Philippines by the Japanese Imperial Army.
On April 9, 1942, exactly four days after the Japanese soldiers reached the top of Mount Samat in Pilar, General Edward
King ordered all USAFFE soldiers to abandon the Orion-Bagac
Defense Line. He then proceeded to Lamao and signed the initial
documents of surrender of Bataan. On April 10, he signed the fi-
Bataan
symbolizes courage, the courage of those men who offered
all life, all dreams, and all illusions for their country and their
people.
-Ferdinand Marcos, April 1976
Historic Mount Samat
nal documents inside the grounds of the Balanga Elementary

School. That same day, the infamous Death March started.
Postwar Philippine presidents like Elpidio Quirino and
Ramon Magsaysay had earlier declared April 9 as a special holiday but only in Bataan. The Fall of Bataan was finally immortallized by then President Carlos P. Garcia who declared April 9 as
a national holiday in 1959. The focal point of the annual celebration was the Libingan ng mga Bayani formerly located at the
foot of Mount Samat. Civic parades, complete with colorful
floats, were also held in Balanga.
For many years, the Philippine Government had requested the
United States Battle Monuments to allocate funds for the construction of a memorial in Bataan. Even the Commission on
Tourism also wanted to construct a shrine in Bataan, not in Corregidor as earlier proposed by American and Filipino veterans.
In 1965, US Ambassador William McCormick Blair, Jr.,
upon the invitation of Governor Pedro Dizon, came to Balanga
to be part of the celebration. The following year, 1966, newlyelected President Ferdinand Marcos also came to Balanga to join
the festivities. Later in the day, he declared Mount Samat as a
national shrine. Immediately the construction of the road going
to the summit of Mt. Samat began. The actual construction of.
Left photo, Mount Samat; top photo,

The Shrine of Valor Mount Samat,
Pilar, Bataan
Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, and

US Ambassador William McCormick
Blair Jr. at the inauguration of the
Shrine of Valor on April 9, 1976.
65
FALL OF BATAAN
The old Libingan ng mga Bayani at

the foot of Mount Samat
.the Dambana ng Kagitingan started in 1967. This was a

monumental cross built to honor the Filipino and American
fighters of World War II. It was a Department of Defense project
and the Department of Public Works was assigned as project
manager. The projects architect was Chito del Castillo.
It was not an easy project, partly because of the terrain. But
what made it more difficult was the organizational confusion at
the Department of Public Works. When the project ran into some
major difficulties, Marcos called in the David M. Consunji Inc.
(DMCI) to complete the project.
The Mount Samat Shrine was inaugurated on April 9, 1969
with Marcos as guest of honor. Since then, the Fall of Bataan
was religiously celebrated as an annual national holiday.
Veterans visit Mount Samat, 1956
Ramon Magsaysay in Pilar, 1956
Orion joins the 2006 Araw ng Kagitingan celebration with its own float.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,

with then Governor Ding Roman and
the Filipino Veterans of World War
II during the celebration of Bataan
Day in Mt. Samat, April 9, 2004.
66
On April 9, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joined

the 64th celebration of the Fall of Bataan. A year earlier, it was
Vice President Noli de Castro who visited Mount Samat as guest
speaker.
The Bataan provincial government, through the Bataan Tourism Council Foundation, Inc., prepared a week-long activity for
the said Bataan Day. The undertaking included a bike race, motorcade, province-wide film showing, trade fair, chorale and
folkdance competitions, LakBYKE Mabuhay Tour, parade of
floats, a night of tribute to war veterans, seafood festival, wreathlaying, unveiling of Diwa ng Bataan markers and a concert by
the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
FIESTA
Barangay Fiestas
Musical bands on parade
FIESTA or feast day in the Philippines is of religious origin. It is

generally held in honor of the patron saint of a particular locality. In Orion, the feast of St. Michael The Archangel is on September 29 but celebrated on May 8 of each year.
At present, 12 barangays are involved in the annual May 8
fiesta of Orion, namely Arellano, Bagumbayan, Balagtas, Balut,
Daan Bago, Daan Bilolo, Lati, Lusungan, San Vicente, Villa Angeles, Wakas and Wawa.
The remaining 11 barangays have different fiesta dates.
Fiesta is a wonderful experience for everybody. A week-long
program and lots of activities are planned and held for the enjoyment of local residents and tourists. There are fairs, bargain sales
and craft shops, amateur singing competitions, dance contests,
Lakambini ng Udyong beauty pageant, and various contests
for all ages. Musical and variety shows are also held at the town
plaza on the eve of the fiesta or the following night. La Torre, a
drill and majorette competition and Serenata a band competition,
are also parts of the celebration.
Brass bands, drum and bugle corps, free foods and drinks, atiatihan and street dancing are the other ingredients of a true Filipino fiesta culture.
Orion is noted throughout Bataan for its most festive and lavish fiesta celebrations due to the presence of numerous and well
known bands hired for this occasion.
TOWN
Abucay
Bagac
Balanga
Dinalupihan
Hermosa
Limay
Mariveles
Morong
Orani
Orion
Pilar
Samal
TOWN FIESTAS
PATRON
St. Dominic
St Catherine Alexandra
St. Joseph
St. John the Baptist
St. Peter of Verona
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Nicholas
Virgin del Pilar
Virgin del Rosario
St. Michael
Virgin del Pilar
St. Catherine of Sienna
DATE
Last Sunday of October
Nov. 25
April 28
June 24
May 3
October 4
3rd Sunday of February
February 2
2nd Sunday of October
May 8
October 12
April 30
March 19
- Bilolo (St. Joseph)
March 25
- Gen. Lim (St. Gabriel)
May 2
- Sta. Elena (Sta. Elena)
May 8 (town fiesta)
- Arellano, Bagumbayan,
Balagtas, Daan Bago, Daan
Bilolo, Lati, Lusungan, Villa
Angeles, San Vicente
Wakas, Wawa (St. Michael)
May 13
- Puting Buhangin (Fatima)
May 15
- Bantan (San Isidro)
May 20
- Capunitan
May 25
- Sto. Domingo (St. Dominic)
June 12
- San Vicente (San Vicente)
June 13
- Daan Pare (San Antonio
de Padua)
June 29
- Calungusan (St. Peter)
August 16
- Balut
October 4
- Sabatan
(St. Francis
of Assisi)
October 24
- Camachile (San Rafael)
Town proper barangays with
respective patron saints
Arellano
Balagtas
Balut
Capunitan
Daan Bilolo
Lati
Lusungan
San Vicente
Wakas
Wawa
St. Therese of
Child Jesus
St. Francis
Resurrection
San Isidro
Sto. Nio
San Andres
San Vicente
de Ferrer
San Gabriel
Mother of
Perpetual Help
67
FISHING INDUSTRY
Fishpen in Capunitan
Fishing Industry
Manila Bay is the main

source of livelihood of Orion
fishermen.
Some 255 hectares of Orion
waters are utilized for fishery.
Orion catch is estimated at 625
metric tons per year.
Orion is a coastal town. It is rich in seawater and freshwater species of fish. Manila Bay, its eastern boundary, provides the fishermen and the residents with a variety of fish like asohos, tamban, galunggong, lapu-lapu, swordfish, anchovy, shark, stingray,
tuna, mackerel, kabase, kapak, crabs and shrimps, as well as
squid and even porcupine fish (butete).
Fishermen from Barangay Bantan down to Puting Buhangin
use motorized and non-motorized fishing boats or bancas to
catch fish. A lot of them use the legal methods of catching fish
such as panghoya, panti, bobo, safra (bucatot), long line, short
line (bingwit), dala, baklad, pangilaw, pamaros, and many more.
To date, some 931 families are involved in brackish water
fishing while six are involved in freshwater fishing. Approximately some 255 hectares of Orion waters are utilized for fisheries. There is an estimated catch of 625 metric tons per year.
The fisherfolks of Orion utilize 424 bancas, 82 percent of
which are motorized.
Local fishermen oftentimes complain about big-time trawlers
who use fine nets and highly luminous lights, to the detriment of
the small-time fisherfolks. Occasionally, sea piracy poses a problem to local folks.
Fishermen harvest the bounty of the sea daily.
Rivers provide income to residents
Orion is known to be the biggest

fishing community in Bataan as
far as the number of fishing vessels are concerned.
68
Fish corrals (baklad) are common sights along the shores of

Orion. In Bantan and Calungusan, mussel culture is a thriving
business. Others prefer to collect seaweeds (raw material in
making gulaman) and alamang along the shores of Manila Bay.
Fishponds, meanwhile, are steady sources of cultured bangus,
tilapia, prawns and mud crabs (alimango). These fishponds are
situated along the whole length of Orion coastline.
Meanwhile, Orion also has freshwater fish which are found in
the rivers, streams, reservoirs and even irrigation canals of the
town. Bulig, dalag, catfish, tilapia, pla-pla, carpa, biya, lulungi,
kapak, babanga, pabuka (eel), frogs and shrimps (ulang) thrive
in these bodies of water.
The local government has initiated several dredging programs
for the Orion River to benefit the local fishermen. A multipurpose cooperative was also established for them. Former
Mayor Manuel Santos Jr. completed the Orion fish port in
Barangay Wawa in 1998.
GANCAYCO, EMILIO A.
Gg
EMILIO ANGELES GANCAYCO (1921- ) is a native of Orion

who served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from January
12, 1987 until August 22, 1992.
Justice Gancayco was born in Wakas, Orion on August 20, 1921.
He completed his Bachelor degrees in Arts, and Laws from the University of the Philippines. He passed the Bar examinations in 1947.
Gancayco started working for the government in 1947 when he was
employed as a claims attorney at the Judge Advocate General Office
(JAGO, AFP). He also became a government prosecutor for many
years. He was named as Special Prosecutor of the Year in 1960. He
was appointed Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals on June 19,
1972.
It was President Corazon C. Aquino who elevated him to the Supreme Court as Associate Justice in January 1987. He was involved in
many landmark decisions of the highest court of the land whose first
Chief Justice was Cayetano Arellano, another native of Orion.
Gancayco retired from government service on August 22, 1992. He,
however, continued practicing his profession and currently serves as a
professorial lecturer in several Law colleges like the University of the
Philippines, University of the East and University of Santo Tomas.
Emilio A. Gancayco
Associate Justice, 1987-1992
Justice Emilio A. Gancayco

Associate Justice
Supreme Court
Born: Arellano, Orion
August 20, 1921
Parents: Braulio C. Gancayco
Emilia Angeles
College: Univ. of the Phils (UP)
Courses: Arts, Law
BAR exams: 1947
Work Exp: JAGO
Court of Appeals (1972)
Supreme Court (1987)
Wife: Herminia Mejia
Children: 5 (Efren, Tony
Sonny Boy, Pablo, Annie)
Justice Gancayco, 5th from left, with

the other Associate Justices of the
Supreme Court
69
GARCIA, ALBERT S.
Albert S. Garcia
City Mayor, 1998 - 2001
2001 - 2004
Congressman, 2004 present
Cong. Abet Garcias

Projects in Orion
70
Repair of school buildings in

Pablo Roman, Orion Elementary, Sta. Elena, Bataan School
of Fisheries, Orion National
High School, Sabatan,
Camachile, Bilolo, Puting Buhangin, Calu-ngusan, Bantan,
Sto. Domingo, Gen. Lim,
Capunitan Elementary
SchoolsPhp 23,290,894.00
Construction of Tricycle Shed,
San VicentePhp 95,819.00
Completion of Day Care Center, Eva Aeta (Pita)Php
300,957.00
Rehabilitation of Water System,
San Vicente and Sto. Domingo
Php 2,928,604.48
Construction of concrete pathwalk, BalutPhp 94,400.00
Improvement of Sto. Domingo
r o a d P h p
1,335,600.00construction of
deepwell, Eva Aeta Php
429,200.00
Concreting of Roads in Bilolo,
Balagtas, Daan Bago, San
Vicente (Araro), Gen. Lim, Wakas, Daan Pare.
Drainage Construction in
BalgtasPhp 500,000.00
Dredging ProjectsPhp
9,990,000.00
Multi-purpose Buildings in
Lusungan, Bilolo, Villa Angeles
and Sto. Dom ingoPhp
6,700,000.00
Flood Control Project in Villa
AngelesPhp 500,00.00
ALBERT SANDEJAS GARCIA (1970) is the fourth congressman of the Second Congressional District of Bataan. He
was elected for a three-year term in May 2004. Prior to his current position, he served as mayor of the City of Balanga from
1998 to 2001 and 2001 to 2004
Congressman Garcia was born in Manila on February 1,
1970. His parents are current Bataan Governor Enrique T. Garcia Jr. and Victoria Sandejas-Garcia. He took up AB Philosophy
and Letters from the De La Salle University. Immediately after
graduation, he worked as chief of staff of his congressman-father
in Congress.
At age 28, he entered the political scene and was elected
mayor of Balanga in May 1998. On December 30, 2000, he successfully elevated Balanga into a component city through the
support of Congressman Tet Garcia. He ran unopposed during
the 2001 local elections.
As mayor, he established the Taxpayers One-Stop Shop of

Balanga, a project which won the most-coveted League of Cities
of the Philippines Best Practices Award. He also instituted the
Bataan Crime Laboratory, City Marshalls Office, COPS Kababayan Centers and other major programs which benefited the residents of the city. In 2002, he was chosen as one of the top five
city mayors of the country, a nationwide search sponsored by the
Local Government Leadership Award.
In May 2004, he ran for congressman against the three-termer
Bataan Governor Leonardo B. Roman. The fight was close but it
was Garcia who prevailed at the polls. Congressman Garcia has
already initiated the establishment of a P15 million drug rehabilitation center in Pilar, Bataan. On May 29, 2006, he and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led in the groundbreaking ceremonies for the P35 million Diosdado Macapagal Terminal Port
in Puting Buhangin, Orion.
Garcia is still a bachelor at age 36.
GARCIA, ENRIQUE JR.

ENRIQUE TUASON GARCIA JR. (1940- ) is the current governor of Bataan, the 28th in the long list of governors who led the
province to progress and prosperity. He was also the 26th governor
after getting elected in l992. Unfortunately, he was not able to complete his first three-year term after he was subjected to a Recall Election in December 1993.
Tet Garcia also served as congressman of Bataan from 1987 to
1991 and 1995 to 1998, 1998 to 2001 and 2001 to 2004.
Born in Balanga on September 13, 1940 to parents Enrique Garcia Sr. and Mely Tuason, Tet finished his Bachelor of Arts degree at
the De La Salle University in 1963. He continued his studies and
completed Commerce, major in Accounting. After a stint with ESSO
Philippines, he put up his own companies, the VicGar Trading and
the Garcia, Lava and Associates, an accounting office based in Manila.
He was a virtual political neophyte when he ran for congressman
of the Second Congressional District in 1987. With the support of
former OIC-Governor Leonardo B. Roman, Garcia won over seven
other contenders for the post. But he broke ties with the Romans
when he fought, single-handedly, against the proposed relocation of
the petrochemical plant to Batangas after it was approved to be established in Bataan.
The 1992 local polls turned out to be the day of reckoning between the Garcia and Roman families. Garcia ran against incumbent
Governor Roman for the gubernatorial post. It was an uphill climb
but in the end, Garcia won overwhelmingly with a margin of 15,000
votes.
Garcia instituted reforms at the Capitol upon assumption of office but a Recall movement was launched against him in 1993. A
special election was held in Bataan in December l993. Garcia lost
the fight but winner Leonardo B. Roman was only able to assume
office in July 1994.
Garcia returned to Congress in 1995 after defeating incumbent
Representative Dominador Venegas of Orion. He was re-elected in
1998, and in 2001. On his second term, he initiated the conversion of
Balanga into a component city with the support of his son, former
Balanga Mayor and current Congressman Albert S. Garcia. The conversion was realized on December 30, 2000 when the capital town
came to be known as the City of Balanga.
Congressman Garcia is also credited for the nationalization of the
former Bataan Provincial Hospital and the establishment of the
Bataan Polytechnic State College. He was working on the conversion of the said college into a university when his third term expired.
In 2004, he aspired for the gubernatorial post, while his two sons
Albert and Joet ran for congressman of the second district and
city mayor of Balanga, respectively. He won against Vice Governor
Rogelio Roque of Limay. Mayoralty-candidate Joet Garcia lost to
Melanio Banzon Jr.
Free college education, fiscal management and environmental
protection are just three of the major concerns of the Garcia administration.

Governor, 1992 - 1994
2004-present
Congressman, 1987-1992
1995-1998
1998-2001
2001-2004
Gov. Tet Garcias

Projects in Orion (20052006)
Roads and Bridges. Improvement of Sto. Domingo
Road (reblocking).Php
1,415,369.00
Water Supply. Construction

of Deepwell and Pipeline in
Sitio EVA and Lati
Php1,258,530.00
Various Community Projects. Construction of Pathwalk

in BalutPhp
91,450.00
School Buildings. Repair

and rehab of schools in
Pablo Roman, Puting Buhangin, Orion National High
School, Bantan, Daan Pare,
Sto. Domingo, Gen. Lim,
Capunitan, Sta. Elena,
Bataan School of Fisheries
Php 21,307,150.00
71
GEN. LIM
Gen. Lim
The interior of Gen. Lim
MAP OF BATAAN
Gen. Lim
Area: 2,734.68 hectares
Barangayhood: March 10, 1966
Fiesta: March 25
Patron: St. Gabriel Archangel
River: Pita River
School: Gen. Lim Elem. School
Place of Interest:
View of Mount Samat
Norberto R. Mamitag
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Resily R. Frenilla
Alejandro M. Bagtas
Rodelio S. Gabriel
Serafin C. Vargas Jr.
Reynaldo L. Perpidea
William J. Vargas
Jaime R. Nisperos
Arvin V. Orieta (SK)
Enrique Raguindin
Felipe Campano
Baldomero Tejada
Conrado Escalante
Jesus Vargas 1970-1993
Rogelio Gadim 1994-1997
72
GENERAL LIM, formerly known as Kaput (or Capot), is one of

the upland barangays of Orion. It is bounded on the north by
Barangays Nagwaling and Diwa (Pilar), on the south by Bilolo,
on the east by Sto. Domingo, Sabatan and Daan Pare, and on the
west by the Mariveles Mountain. It has a total land area of
2,734.68 hectares, the biggest among the 23 barangays of Orion.
The population tally of the barangay reached 2,301 in 2001.
The barangay was formally established on March 10, 1966
and was named after General Vicente Lim, a Filipino general
who used the Capot Hills area as his headquarters during the
early months of World War II. It was one of the sites of the
bloodiest encounters between the USAFFE and Japanese soldiers. A marker was put up in Barangay Kaput to honor the
brave men and women who died in the area during the war.
Barangay General Lim is generally an agricultural area. Rice
and fruit trees are the common farm and forest products. Only
recently, Gen. Lim was designated as an integrated agroindustrial zone. It has attracted San Miguel Foods Inc. to locate
its model broiler farm in this barangay.
GEN. LIM, VICENTE
Filipino General Vicente Lim (seated, far left) with his staff, in Bataan.
GENERAL VICENTE LIM (1888-1944) was among the host of heroes who fought in Bataan during World War II. He was the commanding general of the 41st Division which was involved in
some of the bitterest fightings during the campaign against the invading Japanese Imperial Army.
The same division was initially stationed in Mabatang, Abucay, and later in Pilar and Orion (from
Barangay Alauli and Capot Hills to Pantingan) during the last days of intense assaults on Mount
Samat. The Capot Hill was the command post of General Lim which explains why it was named in
his honor after the place was created as a regular barangay of Orion.
Gen. Lim was born in Calamba, Laguna on February 24, 1888. In 1914, he became the first Filipino to graduate from the United States Military Academy (also known West Point). Devoting himself to the military profession in the years that followed, he graduated from the Advanced Infantry
School at Fort Benning (Georgia) in 1927, and the Fort Leavenworth General Staff Course.
Lim was already in command of the 41st Division when the war broke out. The division left
Southern Tagalog when War Plan Orange 3 took effect. Upon reaching Bataan, Gen. Lim assigned
his troops at the frontline of the Mabatang Defense Line. The division easily earned the reputation
as the Rock of Bataan for its steadfastness in battle.
During a lull of one and a half months, when the Japanese forces withdrew out of range of
USAFFE artillery, it was General Lim who suggested that the Filipino-American forces launch a
counter-attack, break out of Bataan and retake Manila. His plan, Lim argued, would be better than
staying in Bataan.
Unfortunately, General Douglas MacArthur, vetoed the plan of the Filipino general.
Lims unit was mercilessly battered by superior enemy forces while defending Mount Samat.
He survived the fighting in Bataan as well as the mass surrender of the USAFFE soldiers. Captured
and later released, he conducted underground anti-Japanese work. In June 1944, he and some companions sailed from Batangas to rendezvous with a submarine which will take them to Australia.
They were captured along the coast of Mindoro, imprisoned and tortured. The exact date and manner of his death, including his resting place in Mindoro remained a mystery up to the present time.
73
GEN. LIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Before the opening of the Gen.
Lim Primary School in 1965,
Kaput children enrolled at the
Nagwaling Primary School in
Pilar.
Gen. Lims teaching staff
Grade pupils of Gen. Lim

School Administrators:
Angelo Payumo
Rodrigo Sapuyot
Filomena Buhain
Anita Acua
Ma Fe Angeles
Luz Reyes
Teresita de Belen
Clarita Yutuc
Hilda Tiglao
74
GENERAL LIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, formerly Kaput

Elementary School, is one of the major contributions of former
Mayor Ricardo T. Angeles to the children of Barangay General
Lim. He opened the barangays primary school in 1965.
Dr. Jose Quicho, former vice mayor of Orion (1959-1963),
donated the 1,893 square meter lot used as school campus in
Gen. Lim. Immediately, Mayor Angeles ordered the construction
of the initial two- classroom building which benefited the residents of the barangay. In the past, the children had to walk to
Nagwaling, Pilar for their primary education.
Meanwhile, it was former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique (19671986) who completed the Gen. Lim Elementary School.
The total enrollment of the Gen. Lim Elementary School for
the School Year 2005-2006 was registered at 348 pupils. Gilda
P. Tiglao is the current school head teacher. Nine regular teachers are assigned in Gen. Lim.
HEALTH
GUZMAN, Erlinda E.
ERLINDA ESCALADA-GUZMAN (1935- ) was Orions vice
mayor from 1988 to 1992. She is a retired head nurse who
served at the Orion Rural Health Unit.
Mrs. Guzman was born in Puerto Rivas, Balanga City, on
May 31, 1935. Her parents were Gabriel Pajarin Escalada and
Cornelia Pangilinan. She finished her Nursing course from the
University of the Philippines in 1960. It was in Orion where she
met and married Dr. Benjamin Guzman of Orani who also
served as Municipal Health Officer of Orion. She also served as
director of the former Bataan Electric Cooperative and
PENELCO.
Upon retirement, Mrs. Guzman ran for Vice Mayor of Orion,
together with former OIC-Mayor Alfredo Pangilinan. He lost but
Mrs. Guzman won over her rivals, former Vice Mayor Teodoro
T. Catalan and former Councilor Edgardo C. Flordeliz.
She sought re-election in 1998 as runningmate of Mayor Antonio H. Mariano. Both of them lost to the tandem of Manuel C.
Santos Jr. and Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. She retired from politics
after the political debacle.
Health
HEALTH is the state of being well and free from illness.
In Orion, health services are being offered by public and private medical institutions situated within the municipality. St. Michael Hospital is a private two-storey hospital with 19-bed capacity. It is located in Barangay Wakas, in a lot formerly occupied by the old Orion Public Market. In addition, there are six
private medical clinics in various parts of the town and a number
of dental clinics. At the outskirts of Orion, there is the Bataan
General Hospital and other private hospitals and clinics in
Balanga City.
The local government of Orion also maintains one Rural
Health Unit (RHU) in Barangay Wawa and 13 barangay health
stations (BHS). The RHU serves the residents of Arellano, San
Vicente, Balagtas, Bagumbayan, Balut, Daan Bilolo, Lati and
Wakas. The RHU and BHS give free consultations to patients
on Dental and General Health Services. Special services like..
Erlinda E. Guzman
Vice Mayor, 1988 - 1992
Mrs. Erlinda Guzman, R.N. is married to Dr. Benjamin Guzman with

whom she has three children:
Bener, Bernadette and Benedict.
Hh
RHU staff members
Barangay health station

in Wawa
75
HEALTH
....general emergency, pediatrics, obstetric and gynecology and
laboratory such as urinalysis, fecalysis and CBC are also being
administered by government health personnel.
The RHU and BHS also complement hospital services with
the implementation of the referral system in health care delivery.
All trained midwives stationed at their respective barangay
health stations serve as first line contact of patients. They are
allowed to give advices and medications on minor ailments.
Cases which are not within their scope are referred to nurses or
doctor.
In addition to these, they also perform field works to carry
out the following functions: Maternal and Child Care, Immunization, Family planning services, and other functions as may be
assigned by the municipal health officer (MHO).
The barangay health stations are located in Arellano, San
Vicente, Villa Angeles, Balagtas, Daan Bilolo, Lati and Wakas.
Orions health station, ambulance
Medical and dental missions
Congressman Abet Garcia (2nd District of Bataan) and Vice Mayor Virgilio Isidro of Orion, lead the awarding of Philhealth Card to the residents of Orion.
76
HOUSE
There were about 8,735 households in Orion in 2000 having

their own housing units. The houses were classified according
to building types about 90% of which are one to two-storey single detached houses while the rest are apartment types.
Of the total housing units, 49% are owned and/or being amortized while 11% are rented. Additional 29% are rented for free
with consent of the owners. Another 11% are rent-free without
consent of the owner.
In terms of the age of the house, about 48% were just recently constructed (1996-2000) while about 11.4% were built in
the year 1980 onwards. Some 25% were built before 1980. The
remaining 15.6% do not have records of their age.
Early houses in Orion were generally built to suit the tropical
climate. They were made of wood, bamboo and nipa palm or
wild grass (cogon). The bahay-kubo was the basic design for the
rich and poor classes of Filipinos of that time.
The houses were set upon stakes (arigues), at least a meter
above the ground. Each house is separate. In the lower part are
enclosures made of stakes and bamboos. One ascends into the.
Bahay Kubo
Houses in Orion were generally
built to suit the tropical climate.
The lowly bahay-kubo, left photo
was the basic pattern of houses
despite the influence of Spanish
and American architects and
engineers.
MODERN HOUSES
IN ORION
One of the oldest houses in Orion
Above photo: One to two storey single detached houses
77
IGLESIA NI KRISTO
Subdivisions:
Calungusan:
Remedios, Villa Elizabeth
Sto. Domingo:
NCC, Rincon, Sto. Nino,
Fernandez Molle, Diamond
Home Subdivision
Balagtas:
Mel-Luz, St. Michael,
Sarmiento Village, Sta. Ana
Daan Bilolo:
Q-Ville, Alvarez, Sandigan
Puting Buhangin:
Villa Priscilla
Apartment type house
Ii
INC chapel in Wakas
78
...house by means of ladders that can be drawn up. There are

open galleries (batalanes) located at the rear or on the side of the
house, which are used for household duties. There is little adornment and finery in the house.
The arrival of Spanish architects and engineers and other
community workers into the country (1700s) changed almost
everything, including the architectural design of houses. Rich
families of Orion living in the center of the town started constructing their houses based on the designs prevalent in Manila.
The bahay-kubo was refined, expanded and developed into the
bahay na bato with a wide azotea. Stones or adobe replaced the
regular wood and bamboo stakes. Walls were either made of
stone slabs and/or cut lumbers. Clay tiles replaced the nipa roofings. Later on, galvanized iron roof sheets were introduced. In
time, Orion was adorned with bigger, higher and more expensive
residences.
By 1930, there were at least 700 houses in Orion. Those
erected within the Poblacion were of the bahay na bato type,
complete with porches and even carports. But the average bahay
-kubo continued to outnumber the modern residential houses.
The present design of houses in Orion continues to suit the
tropical climate, although a bigger number are semi-concrete
residences with spacious rooms and concrete fences. Some were
designed by trained architects. Still, only the architectural concept or layout changed. The bahay-kubo remained the basic pattern especially in areas far from the center of the town.
There was a dramatic increase in the number of housing units
in Orion for the past three decades. It was due to the establishments of several subdivisions in various parts of Orion.
Iglesia ni Cristo
The IGLESIA NI CRISTO (INC) is the second largest religious
assembly in Orion. Founded by the late Minister Felix Manalo in
1914, the congregation follows religious practices based on the
teachings found in the Holy Bible.
Vivorey Santos is the present district minister of the INC in
Bataan. He took over the post left by Melanio Bautista.
The religion had its humble beginning in Bantan where a
chapel was built in early 1936. While the Tapulao chapel in
Orani is believed to be the first locale established in Bataan, the
Bantan locale in Orion is said to be the second oldest INC center
in the province.
There are four other INC chapels in Orion. These are located
in Wakas (town center), Sabatan, Upper Bilolo and General Lim.
The local ministers include Bienvenido Baclaan (Bantan), Alex
Dingal (Gen. Lim), Mar Balana (Bilolo), Rene Ocampo and
Willy Dalusong (Sabatan), and Samuel Mercado (Wakas).
Orion has an estimated 2,133 members at present.
INSTITUTIONS, POLITICAL
Spanish Regime. From 1565 to 1898, the Philippines was administered by a gobernador y capitan-heneral (governorgeneral) who represented the Spanish king through the viceroyalty of Mexico.
On the provincial level, it was the governor (alcalde mayor)
who ran its affairs. He received his appointment from the governor-general. Only a Spaniard can be a provincial governor. He
was the judge, inspector of encomiendas, chief of police, collector, vice regal patron and capitan-heneral of the province. Records revealed that one Jose dela Guardia ruled the province in
1893.
On the municipal level, the little governor was the gobernadorcillo who headed the pueblo or municipio. It was adopted
as a political system in 1778. Any Filipino or Chinese mestizo,
at least 25 years old, literate in oral or written Spanish and who
had been a cabeza de barangay (barrio administrator) for four
years could be a gobernadorcillo. He was elected to the position
Miguel Lopez de Legaspi was

the first governor-general in the
country. As per record, there
was a total of 122 governorgenerals who ruled the country
until l898, the last and the shortest term was that of Governorgeneral Fermin Jaudenes, during the siege of the Americans
on Intramuros on July 2, l898.
The gobernadorcillo, left photo,

was the towns local chieftain during the Spanish period. His duties
include preparation of the tribute
list,recruitment and distribution of
men for the labor draft, supervise
communal public works, and approve the military conscription.
during a Gran Tribunal attended by the incumbent cabezas and

other respected citizens with high social status in the municipality. His term of office was a minimum of two years. Also
elected were the teniente mayor (vice-mayor) and the cordilleros
(councilors). Their respective roles were highly significant in a
town.
The gobernadorcillo was assisted by three super numerics or
inspectors (tenientes de justicia); constables (aguaciles); four
tenientes segundo; and a secretary (directorcillo).
But the towns parish priests, mostly Caucasians, were not
only the spiritual guides of the people, but in effect were the true
rulers in the municipalities. They controlled the fundamental
forces of society.
Barrio government was headed by a cabeza de barangay
whose main role was as tax and contributions collector for the
gobernadorcillo.
Pre-Spanish datu or sultan
79
INSTITUTIONS, POLITICAL
Philippine Assembly, 1907
Voter cast his vote
ELECTION
From 1903 to 1916, all
elections were conducted
through acclamation.
The 1916 elections was
the first regular election
where ballots were formally used. It was considered as the first most
expensive polls at that
time.
Women were only allowed to vote for the first
time in 1935.
Captain John Gouldman

Bataan Governor, 1901 - 1903
80
American Regime (l898-l935). Another form of politics was introduced by the Americans. It was patterned after their own form of government.
In the executive branch, there was a change from an American to a
Filipino majority in the Philippine Commission in 1913, and in the
Council of State and the Board of Control in 1918. The Civil Service
became, by 1913, 70 percent Filipino. By 1921, the Civil Service was
about six percent American. The judiciary also saw a substantial Filipino participation since the creation of the Supreme Court in l899.
In l90l, Cayetano Arellano of Orion became the first Filipino Chief
Justice. The lower courts had both American and Filipino judges, with
the latter increasingly growing in number.
In the legislative branch of government, a 24-member Senate was
formed as the Upper House and a House of Representatives as the
Lower House Chamber. All of them were elected except for the two
senators (from the non-Christian sector) who were appointed by the
Governor-General.
In the provincial level, the Aguinaldos system of government continued with very minor changes. Provincial officials were elected exclusively by the town officials who usually came from the local elite, the
likes of Tomas del Rosario, Pedro Rich, Maximino delos Reyes and
others.
Under the American system, only those who can read and write, pro
-perty owners, and have been government employees during the Spanish period can run for office. In effect, the election law was already limited to the elite.
The only American influence was in the position of the provincial
treasurer which was held by an American. American authorities knew
that aside from a superior military force, economic control was basic to
political control.
Except for the general power of supervision, the municipal government was under Filipino control. It was, in essence, a rapid
Filipinization of the government starting in 1931 with the passage of
the Jones Law.
Captain John Gouldman was appointed by the American governorgeneral as provincial military governor of Bataan (1901-1903). The
succeeding provincial officials continued to be elected by the town
presidents and members of the elite society. The municipal and barangay officials were elected directly by their constituents.
Unfortunately, important records concerning Bataan, Orion and the
other towns during the American regime up to l945 were also destroyed as a result of the numerous epic battles in the province during
World War II. Provincial records were lost forever after the Capitol
building (located at the present Plaza Arcade of Balanga City) burned
to the ground in January l942.
Documents dating back to l946 up to present time were the only
available records being kept by the Sangguniang Bayan of Orion and
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan.
INSTITUTIONS, RELIGIOUS
The population of Orion is predominantly Roman Catholic, comprising almost 90 percent of the total citizenry. It can be said that
the Dominicans who labored in propagating Christianity in
Orion were indeed successful in their untiring efforts to propagate Christianity in the municipality because the people embraced the Catholic religion whole-heartedly.
The present St. Michael The Archangel Parish, built in 1680,
is the center of all religious activities of the Roman Catholics in
Orion. It is located in Barangay San Vicente, beside the Orion
municipal building.
The church had its humble beginning. The first church established in Orion was only made of wood with nipa roofing. It
was built along the Sto. Domingo River, near the so-called Tutuban area. After the death of the first missionary or parish
priest of Orion named Fr. Domingo Perez, a new church was
built in its present site in San Vicente. The church expanded
through the years and had undergone several major and minor
repairs and rehabilitation.
In addition to the town proper barangays, the remaining periphery and upland barangays of Orion have their respective
chapels and patron saints. Even the farthest barangay, Gen. Lim,
has its own religious center for Roman Catholics.
Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus

Chapel in Bilolo
Mormons Chapel in Balagtas
Methodist Church in Wakas
The Church of Latter Day Saints has a beautiful place of worship in St. Michael Subdivision, Balagtas while the protestants
have theirs in the Methodist Church in Wakas.
The Kingdom Hall of the Jehovahs Witnesses in Barangay
Daan Pare, though small, is a welcome addition to the community.
Kingdom Hall of Jehovas Witnesses

in Daan Pare
81
ISIDRO, VIRGILIO B.
Vice Mayor, 2004-present

Virgilio Isidro
Vice Mayor Virgilio Isidro

is married to Teresita YambaoIsidro. The couple has four children: Teresita, Ray, Sharon and
Emmanuel.
Jj
Arsenio Joco
Mayor 1941-1945
82
ISIDRO, Virgilio B.
VIRGILIO BALMACEDA ISIDRO (1950) is the current
Vice Mayor of Orion. His term started in June 2004.
Vice Mayor Isidro is a native of Bantan, Orion. He was born
on January 4, 1950 to parents Marcial Reyes Isidro and Adela
Solomon Balmaceda.
He is an alumnus of Pilar Elementary School and Arellano
Memorial High School now, Bataan National High School. He
finished his Bachelors degree in Business Administration, major
in Banking and Finance from the Mapua Institute of Technology
in 1973.
His initial employment was with Monark International based
in Quezon City. After three years, he returned to Orion and established the Funeraria Yambao. Inspite of being a politician he
remained a farmer.
His first attempt at politics was in 1998 when he was elected
as Municipal Councilor. He improved on his showing in the
2001 local elections when he was elected as one of the top councilors. It was his unblemished record which encouraged Mayor
Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. to pick him out as runningmate in the
2004 elections. Both of them won.
Vice Mayor Isidro currently holds office at the Sangguniang
Bayan located in Arellano. He presides over the affairs of the
legislative department of the local government unit of Orion.
JOCO, Arsenio
ARSENIO JOCO was the 16th mayor of Orion. He was elected
to the post in 1941. He continued serving the town during the
entire Japanese Occupation.
Born in Wakas, Mayor Joco was a virtual newcomer in politics when he ran for the mayoralty position during the November
1940 local elections. His candidacy was ably supported by his
family, specifically his son Joel who was then the Municipal
Judge of Orion and Limay. As expected, he won over the incumbent mayor, Agapito Rivera. His reign, however, was interrupted by the advent of World War II. But unlike the other local
officials who refused to serve during the Japanese Occupation,
Joco and his family returned to Orion immediately after the fall
of Bataan and continued performing his duties as an elected
mayor.
In 1945, Joco was automatically replaced by the newlyappointed governor, Teodoro Camacho Sr. His replacement was
Emiliano Navarro, a noted lawyer and law professor.
In 1947, Joco ran again for mayor against Agustin Angeles,
an influential political leader in Orion who replaced Mayor
Emiliano Navarro in 1946. Joco lost at the polls.
JOSE RIZAL INSTITUTE

JOCO, Rizalina G.
RIZALINA GATDULA JOCO is one of the brains behind the
establishment of the Bataan Community College, which is part
of the Bataan Polytechnic State College. A native of Orion, she
also served as principal of the Arellano Memorial Bataan High
School (AMBHS, now Bataan National High School) from 1970
to 1979.
Mrs. Joco, wife of former Municipal Judge and Bataan Board
Member Joel Joco, started as an ordinary high school teacher at
AMBHS in 1960. She was appointed Principal of the said
school in 1970 after former Principal Liberato Lactaotao was
named Secondary School Principal in charge of supervising all
high schools in Bataan. It was during her stint that she thought of
putting up a community college in Balanga and immediately
brought up the idea to the attention of then Governor Efren B.
Pascual. The governor approved the plan provided that the proposed project would be a self-supporting community college. In
1971, the provincial government appropriated an initial P20,000
to start up the program. Mrs. Joco became the officer-in-charge
of BCC upon its opening.
Mrs. Joco currently resides in the United States with her
children.
Rizalina G. Joco
Rizalina Gatdula Joco

was married to the late Municipal Judge Joel Joco who was
appointed board member of
Bataan from September 15,
1947 to December 30, 1947.
The Joco children include Ruth,
Alma, Arsenia, Thelma, David
and Rizalina III.
Jose Rizal Institute
JRIs teaching staff
JRI-Orion campus
JOSE RIZAL INSTITUTE (JRI) has the distinction of being the

first private school to provide quality secondary education to the
children of Orion. It opened in June 1926 to first year high
school students and had its first graduation rites in 1936. JRIOrion continues to serve the educational needs of the children of
Orion and the neighboring towns.
It was Atty. Francisco dela Rosa of Arellano, together with
Florentino Simeon Sr. and Alfredo Angeles, who founded JRIOrion. They pooled their resources together to put up the initial
school which was located and operated inside the convent of the
St. Michael The Archangel Parish.
It was only in 1955 that the school was relocated to its present site in San Vicente to accommodate the increasing number
of the student population.
Patriotic 15
The other incorporators of JRIOrion include Valeriano Soriano, Fausto Paguio, Estanislao
Cuevas, Alejo Candido, Saturnino Palad, Jose Mateo, Arsenio
Joco, Silvino Rodriguez, Cesar
Carlos, Balbino Guzman.
JRI-Orani: Fortunato de Leon,
Ismael Mathay, R. Iguico, Joel
Joco, Magdaleno Dizon, Urbano Sto. Domingo, Jose
Mercado, Buenaventura
Casimiro, Jose I. Baluyut
83
KAPITAN MUNICIPAL
With the success of the JRI-Orion, the incorporators also
thought of establishing an annex in Orani, especially after the
Bataan High School in the said town closed. They gathered more
incorporators and the plan was realized in 1939.
In 1968, JRI-Orion opened the St. Michael Kindergarten and
elementary School inside the same campus.
For the School Year 2006-2007, JRI registered a total enrollment of 64 kindergarten students; 400 elementary pupils and
1292 high school students.
Benjamin S. Gomez is JRIs current president while Josefa A.
Simeon is the school principal.
Alfredo V. Angeles (1901-1992)

was born in Orion on May 25, 1901.
He finished his primary and secondary education from the Orion Elementary School and Bataan High
School in Orani, respectively. He
had to walk from Orion to Orani and
worked at the Orani convent to finish high school. He finished his
Commerce degree from the Jose
Rizal College, Manila and then
taught at the Arellano Memorial
(Bataan) High School. Together with
Atty. Francisco dela Rosa and Florentino Simeon, they put up JRIOrion
in 1926. It was followed by JRIOrani in 1939. As a Fourth Degree
member of the Knights of Columbus, he served as a lay minister at
the St. Michael Archangel Church.
Angeles was married to Paciencia
Santos and had five children:
Josefa, Reynalda, Pablo, Lolita and
Concepcion. He passed away on
May 8, 1992.
Kk
Kapitanes Municipal
Damian Baluyot
Maximino Salaveria
Pedro Baluyot
Ceferino Baltazar
Procopio Rivera
Francisco Antonio
Vicente Rodriguez
84
St. Michael Kindergarten and Elementary School
Kapitan Municipal
KAPITAN MUNICIPAL was the title given to the town chief or
mayor starting in 1796. Some historians, however, claimed the
said title was only used in 1887 to replace the gobernadorcillo,
the old title used since 1778. A kapitan municipal was elected by
acclamation during a Gran Tribunal. Those who elected the municipal mayor were the incumbent cabezas de barangay and
some individuals of high status in the society in the area.
In addition to the kapitan municipal, also elected were the
teniente mayor (vice mayor), teniente and cordillera
(councilors).
A list of individuals who served as kapitanes municipal of
Orion during the Spanish era includes: Damian Baluyut, Maximino Salaveria, Pedro Baluyut, Ceferino Baltazar, Procopio
Rivera, Francisco Antonio and Vicente Rodriguez. The dates of
their tenure, however, were not made available for this book.
The title kapitan municipal was replaced in 1901 by Presidente Actual or Current President. Vicente Rodriguez, the last
kapitan municipal of Orion also became the first Presidente Actual of Orion.
A new title, Mayor, replaced Presidente Actual in 1934. It
was first used by Valeriano Soriano, the 14th mayor of Orion.
LATI
Li
Lati
Manrique-Lati Street, major road of Lati
LATI is one of the original town proper barangays of Orion. It

was recognized as a regular barangay on July 24, 1961. It has a
land area of 5.47 hectares, the fourth smallest community. As
per 2006 Census, it has a population of 1,306.
The barangay is bounded on the north by the San Vicente
River (Arellano and Bagumbayan), on the south by Villa Angeles and Wakas, on the east by Daan Bago and Lusungan, and on
the west by Wakas.
Lati expanded after the conversion of the fishpond into residential areas. The said fishponds were sold by its owners and
developed into a subdivision by Orani businesswomen Letty
Galicia and Pagasa Pascual.
It is a favorite destination among the people on the eve of
Easter because of the subok. People converge where Manrique
and Alarcon Streets meet and listen to the angelic voices of
young boys and girls vying for the honors to remove the black
veil Mater Dolorosa, (the mourning Virgin Mary) on Easter
morning. People again flock to the place to witness the chosen
angel sing and perform the task.
MAP OF ORION
Lati, a residential area, is home to

Bataan Development Bank
Lati
Area: 5.47 hectares
Population: 1,533(2000 Census)
Fiesta: May 8
Pepito E. Guinto
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Ruben G. Bantog
Jaime G. Tigue
Leonardo C. Calderon
Jose B. Mercado Jr.
Pablito C. Bagtas
Nancy A. Borja
Danilo N. Mercado
Ma. Cecille Medrano (SK)
Angels leading the Salubong in Lati

Alfredo Hernandez Sr.
Ofelia Mallari
Florentino Bantog
Danilo dela Cruz
85
FORTUNATO DE LEON
Fortunato de Leon
served as chairman of the board
of directors of the Philippine
National Bank and Provident
Bank after his stint in Malacaang. He was listed in the
1975 Yearbook and the Statemens Whos Who. He was
also regarded as an authority in
Constitutional Law. He became
the Governor of the Philippine
Constitutional Association
(Philconsa) from 1970 to 1971.
LEON, Fortunato de
FORTUNATO DE LEON fondly called Batato was the eighth
congressman of Bataan. He served from 1931 to 1934. He was a
public administrator, newspaperman and a Bar topnotcher.
De Leon was born in Arellano, Orion in 1905. He graduated
as valedictorian of Class 23 of the Bataan High School. He took
up Law at the University of the Philippines (UP). He became a
staff member of the Manila Daily Bulletin from 1924 to1929
while still in school. He served as the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, the campus paper of UP. As a student, he was
an acclaimed orator and debater of the UP College of Law. He
topped the Bar examinations in 1929.
With his credentials, he easily won the Bataan congressional
race in 1931 against incumbent Congressman Teodoro Camacho
Sr. of Balanga. At age 26, he was the youngest member of the
Philippine Legislature. As Representative, he co-authored the
first Tenancy Law. He was a ranking Minority member of the
Commission on Appropriations, Labor and Franchises.
After an unsuccessful rematch with Teodoro Camacho Sr.,
De Leon put up a Law office in Manila and went into private
practice of his profession. He also continued writing for Bulletin
and other national newspapers.
In 1956, President Ramon Magsaysay named De Leon as Executive
Secretary. He retained the post for another year after the sudden death of
the president in a plane crash.
LIM, Jose Q.
Jose Q. Lim
Mayor, 1987-1988
86
JOSE QUICHO LIM (1949- ) was the 25th mayor of Orion.

He served from October 1, 1987 to January 1988.
Boy Lim, as he is more popularly known, was born on March
18, 1949. His parents were Salvador Lim of Hermosa and Carmen Quicho of Daan Bago, Orion. He completed his elementary
and secondary education in Orion Elementary School and Jose
Rizal Institute. He enrolled at the Mapua Institute of Technology
but failed to finish an engineering course in exchange for the opportunity to be a seaman. Upon his return, he established a construction company and at the same time managed the familyowned Orion Ricemill.
Mayor Lim, a noted businessman and sportsman, had the
chance to administer the affairs of Orion when he was appointed
by Governor Leonardo B. Roman as acting municipal mayor in
October 1987.
Lim is married to the former Generosa Guzman, a Certified
Public Accountant from Bagumbayan with whom he has 3 children. The eldest child Kenneth is now a full-pledge doctor.
LIMAY
Municipal building
of Limay.
LIMAY was a former distant barangay of Orion. It was the last

town in Bataan to be recognized by the Spanish government as a
regular pueblo on July 4, 1877. The proclamation, however, was
later revoked and it took an American governor-general in the Philippines, Francis Burton Harrison, to formalize the creation of Limay as a municipality (pueblo).
Limay was formally recognized as a regular town on January 1,
l917 by virtue of Harrisons Executive Order No. 93. It was made
possible through the recommendations of Congressman Maximino
delos Reyes (1916-1922) and Bataan Governor Conrado Lerma
(l916-l918).
The town covers an area of 10,362 hectares, about 65 percent of
which is forest land while the rest is used for agricultural and residential purposes. Limay has a population of 46,520 as of 2000.
For many years, Limay was a stagnant and underdeveloped
place. Today, Limay is a first class municipality due to the big establishments that were put up since the l950s. These industries include the Petron Bataan Refinery (formerly ESSO and Stanvac),
Planters Products, Columbian Carbon Philippines, Philippine Explosives, National Power Corporation Thermal Plant, the Government Arsenal, Asea Brown Boveri, Limay Bulk Handling Terminal
and the Limay Grinding Mills.
The Petron Refinery sits on a 243-hectare land in Barangay
Alangan. Initially worth $45 million, it was the biggest private investment in the country up to this time. The plant was designed to
produce 25,000 to 50,000 barrels of oil a day. After more than 40
years of operation, the refinery continues to produce regular and
premium gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, automotive and industrial diesel oil, industrial and bunker fuel oil, bunker oil and asphalt.
The DND Arsenal, on the other hand, was built as per Republic
Act. 1884 signed by former President Carlos P. Garcia on June 22,
1957. The Arsenal owns 600 hectares in Lamao (formerly the
Lamao Agricultural Experimental Station). It started operation in
1972. Known as Camp Gen. Antonio Luna, the Arsenal has a powder case plant, bullet plant, cartridge loading and packing plant.
Former local officials of Limay, particularly Mayor Floro Roxas,
started pushing for the elevation of Limay into a component city since
the early 1970s. The move remained unfulfilled up to the present.
ABB Power Generating Plant
Explosive Plant
Petron Bataan Refinery
PBR housing compound
87
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Mayors office
Sangguniang Bayan
The Judicial Department is a coequal branch which takes charge
of the legal needs of the people.
The Municipal Circuit Trial Court
is headed by a trial judge whose
appointment come from the Department of Justice. To date, the
department is headed by Hon.
Rodolfo S. Gatdula.
Staff: Municipal Treasury Office
Municipal employees attend the

Monday flag ceremony
88
Orion local government unit is composed of three major departments: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. These departments
have separate functions but co-equal at some level.
The Mayor is at the top of the structure as the local chief executive. He directs, controls, supervises and manages all the activities of the municipal government. All department heads are
appointed by the Mayor except the municipal treasurer who is
appointed by the Department of Finance. These department
heads and their subordinates are mandated to perform specialized tasks, such as planning, human resource management, fiscal administration and delivering basic services to the constituents of the municipality.
The Legislative Department, on the other hand, refers to the
Vice Mayor and the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan. The Vice
Mayor and the municipal councilors enact ordinances, approved
resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the
municipality and its constituents. The Office of the Secretary to
the Sangguniang Bayan provides technical and administrative
assistance to the municipal council.
Municipal Mayor
Vice Mayor
MUNICIPALITY OF ORION
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Antonio L. Raymundo Jr.
Virgilio B. Isidro
Human Resource Mgmt. Office

Municipal Civil Registrars Office
Municipal Planning & Dev Office
Municipal Budget Office
Municipal Treasurers Office
Municipal Accounting Office
Municipal Engineering Office
Municipal Health Office
Mun. Social Welfare & Dev Office
Municipal Agriculture Office
Municipal Assessors Office
Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan
Municipal Police Office
Fire Protection Office
Municipal Circuit Trial Court
Edna A. Isidro
Cynthia C. Manansala
En.P. Andres R. Avorque
Carmelita E. Waje
Rolando B. Paguio
Delia V. Gomez
Jaime C. Cruz
Dr. Corazon M. Cruz
Babylita F. Evangelista
Carolina C. Generillo
Ernesto F. dela Pea
Carlota T. Valerio
P/Supt. Asterio Cumigad
Christopher Andrade
Judge Rodolfo Gatdula
LUSUNGAN
LUSUNGAN is one of coastal barangays of Orion. It is bounded
on the north by Daan Bago, on the south by Villa Angeles and
Capunitan, on the east by Manila Bay and on the west by Lati. It
is accessible via the Panganiban and Gabriel Manrique Streets
which are both connected to the Bataan National Road.
The barangay has a land area of 2.80 hectares, the smallest
among the 23 barangays in Orion. Lusungan is purely residential
and inhabited by 1,368 people based on 2006 Census.
Lusungan has many versions as to how it came to be. One
version was that during the early days, the eastern part of Lusungan belonged to Manila Bay. It was famous for its sandy
beaches and lush mangroves. The natives, mostly fishermen,
were known to be the first to use the bayanihan method of fishing. It was the period when they were still using dayakos or
pakulong in catching fish, shrimp and crabs that thrived along
the barangays shoreline. Lusungan is synonymous to bayanihan.
Another version was it that it was in Lusungan where early
barangay folks saw a huge and aging crocodile wading back to
the sea after hibernating for some time in the area.
It was former Mayor Manuel R. Santos who initiated the establishment of Lusungan as a regular barangay. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved its creation as a barangay on
February 15, 1962.
Lusungan has a barangay hall, day care center and a barangay
health center. Children go to Capunitan Elementary School for
their elementary education. The Bataan School of Fisheries is
located nearby.
Lusungan
Area: 2.80 hectares
Barangayhood: Feb.15, 1962
Fiesta: May 8 / Nov. 30
Patron: San Andres
Leopoldo R. dela Rosa
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Rodrigo E. fortune
Danilo D. Reyes
Manuel A. Factoran
Mercidita C. Serrano
Ernesto G. Bautista Jr.
Rafael D. Adriano
Carlos L. Cruz
Carly Jean C. Cruz (SK)
Francisco Mendoza
Francisco Isidro
Miguel Hizon
Irenio Villegas
Uldarico Cernias
Lusungan
MAP OF ORION
Top left photo, Lusungan interior;

bottom left photos, barangay hall,
and day care center
89
MANILA BAY
Mm
Local fishermen derive livelihood

from the bay
Fisherman and his prized catch
Manila Bay
MV Bay Cruiser.
Commercial ferry service
in Puting Buhangin
90
MANILA BAY is an inlet of the South China Sea. It measures

220,000 hectares, more or less, and is bounded by the provinces
of Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Metro Manila.
The bay is basically sand and mud, about 45 nautical miles
wide and 60 miles long. Its depth averages from 5 to 20 fathoms
based on the l973 records provided by the Philippine Coast and
Geodetic Survey. Some 100 rivers, including the Pasig, Pampanga Rivers and San Vicente River, run into it. Manila North
and South Harbors, and Sangley Point in Cavite are the three
most important ports on the bay.
Port Capinpin in Orion uses Manila Bay for its ferry service.
The sea route is approximately 45-50 nautical miles, and about
45 minutes of travel from Manila to Puting Buhangin.
Manila Bay provides livelihood to some 2,000,000 fishermen
living along its long coastline. Commercial fishing takes place
off the southern portion of the bay, near the Corregidor Island
but some unscrupulous trawlers drop their nets on their way to
the area. In quantity, the most important catch is halubaybay,
while in terms of value; lapu-lapu is the most expensive.
The northern portion of the bay, from Navotas (Manila) to
Samal (Bataan) is teeming with fishpond lots where mud crab
(alimango), prawns, milkfish and tilapia are grown. Mussel, oyster and clam cultures are also in abundance in the Bataan side of
the bay, as well as in Cavite.
MANRIQUE, GABRIEL L.
MANRIQUE, Dioscoro L.
DIOSCORO LLAMZON MANRIQUE (1923-1988) was the first
commissioner of the Foreign Trade Zone Authority (FTZA) who
also served as the pioneering zone manager of the Bataan Export
Processing Zone (BEPZ, now Bataan Economic Zone) in Mariveles, Bataan.
Dioscoro was born in Hagonoy, Bulacan, on May 18, 1923.
His parents were Lazaro Manrique of Abucay and Victoria
Llamzon of Orion. Dioscoro worked his way to complete his secondary and college education. He was gainfully employed as a
janitor while finishing high school education at the Jose Rizal Institute-Orion. He also worked odd jobs while completing his Law
degree at the Manuel L. Quezon University in Manila.
Atty. Manrique joined the newly-organized Free Trade Zone
Authority in 1971 or immediately after the law creating the
Bataan Export Processing Zone was signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos. As a commissioner, he initially held office at the
Manila Port Area until 1979.
After the completion of the new BEPZ administration building,
he transferred to Mariveles and started serving as its first zone
manager. During his term, several companies opened their plants
at BEPZ. The list include Famicusa (garments), Ang Tibay Shoes,
AMCO (garments), Ford Stamping Plant, Ricoh Watch, Cresta
Monte (lumber yard) and others. He served as zone manager until
1984.
Atty. Manrique ran for a board member position in Bataan but
it was an unsuccessful bid. He died on August 2, 1988.
Manrique was married to Clarita Pangilinan of Bulacan, a head
nurse in Malacanang during the Marcos administration. The Manrique couple had 2 children: Eduardo, a doctor and Alfredo.
Dioscoro L. Manrique
Zone Manager, 1979-1984
Bataan Export Processing Zone
Mariveles, Bataan
Dioscoro L. Manrique
First commissioner, BEPZ
First zone manager , BEPZ
MANRIQUE, Gabriel L.
GABRIEL LLAMZON MANRIQUE (1931-1986) was the 20th mayor
of Orion. His continuous administration of 19 years is considered as the
longest in the political history of the municipality. He was one of the most
charismatic and innovative leaders in Bataan during his time.
Mayor Manrique was born in Daan Bago, Orion on March 18, 1931.
His parents were Lazaro Manrique of Mabatang, Abucay and Victoria
Llamzon of Bilolo, Orion. He was one of the most intellectual and outstanding alumni of Orion Elementary School and Arellano Memorial
(Bataan) High School. His brilliance became more evident in college. He
finished his Bachelors degree in Business Administration at the Mapua
Institute of Technology as a gold medalist.
It was during the November 1967 local elections when Manrique formally showed his genuine ability in politics. Using his natural flair in
public speaking, he gathered additional supporters each time he spoke on
stage while campaigning for mayor against incumbent Mayor Ricardo T.
Angeles.
Gabriel L. Manrique
Mayor, 1967-1971
1971-1975
1975-1979
1979-1986
91
MANRIQUE, GABRIEL
Gabriel L. Manrique
was married to Remedios Garcia-Manrique who died on July
25, 1968. The couple had a son,
Gabriel Jr. who is presently
based in the United States.
New community
in Pagasa Wawa
Orion Highway
Bagumbayan Wawa Bridge
Orion Rural Health Center
92
Mayor Manrique gathered more votes than Angeles.

It was Vice Mayor Ernesto Pascual, an ally of Angeles, who
ran against Manrique in 1971 but his bid was unsuccesful. Manrique won by a landslide over Pascual. There was no election
held in 1976 and Manrique, a Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party
member, served until 1980 uninterrupted.
Angeles ran for mayor against Manrique in 1980 but the latter
won easily at the polls.
In a span of 19 years, Manrique was able to implement numerous major projects in Orion: the widening and concreting of
the Orion National Road; concreting of barangay roads and pathways; construction of bridges (Tulay Bato, Tulay Gitna, Tulay
Baraka); reclamation and creation of Sitio Pag-asa (in Wawa);
construction of fish port, slaughterhouse, housing projects and
elementary school in Pag-asa; establishment of the Orion Emergency Hospital now the Legislative Building; creation of Sabatan and Villa Angeles as new barangays; establishment of the
Orion Municipal High School in Capunitan; building of new
classrooms for various barangay schools; and the opening of the
Port of Orion in Puting Buhangin which was initially used for
hydrofoil service.
In March 1981, Mayor Manrique won the Presidential Regional Officers Development (PROD) award.
He was relieved from his position in March 1986 after the
EDSA Revolution and was replaced by Alfredo Pangilinan of
San Vicente.
Mayor Manrique died of liver cirrhosis on September 5,
1986.
MARIANO, ANTONIO H.
Dr. ANTONIO HIZON MARIANO (1938-1999) was Orions
27th mayor. He served from 1992-1995. He was also the towns
vice-mayor from 1972-1976, 1976-1980 and 1980-1986, all during the incumbency of former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique.
Dr. Mariano was the son of Dr. Ruperto Mariano and
Francisca Hizon. He was born in Orion on August 16, 1938. He
finished his elementary and secondary education in Orion Elementary School and Jose Rizal Institute. He finished his PreMed course at the University of Santo Tomas and enrolled at the
Far Eastern University for further medical studies. He shifted to
Dentistry and finished his course in 1961.
Instead of putting up a dental clinic, he and his wife Eugenia
Evangelista decided on having a hardware store in Barangay
Arellano. The venture was a success. Ten years later, Dr.
Mariano teamed up with incumbent Mayor Gabriel Manrique
and both of them won during the 1971 local elections. He defeated Ambrocio Almazan for the vice mayoralty post. He and
Manrique remained in office from 1976 to 1980 in the absence
of an election due to the declaration of Martial Law by President
Marcos on September 21, 1972. During this period, Mariano
served as a town councilor after the position of vice mayor was
abolished. He also served as Board Member after Mayor Manrique appointed him as municipal representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan.
In 1980, he ran again for the vice-mayoralty position together
with Mayor Manrique. Despite the controversies of the Marcos
dictatorship, the KBL ticket in Orion led by Mayor Manrique
and Dr. Mariano won at the polls.
Six years later, however, all incumbent local officials were
replaced by new appointees as a result of the EDSA Revolution.
After the demise of Mayor Manrique in September 1986, Dr.
Mariano ran for mayor during the l988 polls against erstwhile
OIC-Mayor Alfredo Pangilinan and newcomer Manuel Santos
Jr. Surprisingly, Santos won and served until 1992. Mariano,
Pangilinan and Santos once more challenged each other in 1992.
Mariano and his runningmate, Erlinda Guzman won.
Under the Mariano administration the transfer of the public
market from its old location to its present site was completed.
Likewise, it was under his leadership that the Orion Water District was established. What made the Mariano administration notable was the implementation of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991. It was under his term that the code was fully
implemented.
The Mariano-Santos political rivalry continued until the 1995
elections. In the end, Santos emerged as the poll winner. It was
Marianos runningmate, Teodoro Catalan, who won as vice
mayor.
He passed away on May 4, 1999.
Dr. Antonio H. Mariano

Mayor, 1992-1995
1976-1980

was married to Eugenia Evangelista-Mariano and had four
children: Rupert (dentist), Normandy (engineering undergrad),
Michaela (dentist) and Rommel
(dentist).
The Mariano family
93
MARIANO, EUGENIA E.
MARIANO, Eugenia E.
Eugenia E. Mariano
Eugenia E. Mariano
former vice mayor is currently
serving as a municipal councilor
of Orion (2004-2007).
EUGENIA EVANGELISTA MARIANO (1937- ) is currently

a municipal councilor of Orion who served as vice mayor from
1998 to 2001. She was married to the late Dr. Antonio H.
Mariano, the town mayor from 1992-1995.
Mrs. Mariano is the daughter of the late Diomedes Evangelista and Narcisa Angeles of Bagumbayan, Orion. She was born
on August 10, 1937. She was a product of Orion Elementary
School and Jose Rizal Institute-Orion. She completed her Associate in Arts degree in 1957 from the University of Santo Tomas.
She also finished a Bachelors degree in Foreign Service in 1960
from the University of Manila. She chose to become a businesswoman-housewife when she married Dr. Antonio in 1961. The
Mariano couple had four children: Rupert (dentist), Normandy,
Michaela (dentist) and Rommel (dentist).
She supported the candidacy of her husband who entered the
political scene and became Orions vice mayor from 1972-1976,
1976-1980 to 1980-1986.
She joined the political scene in l988. She became the runningmate of her husbands political rival, Manuel Santos Jr. Just
like Santos, she won as vice mayor against candidate Allan Inton. After her term in 2001, she was appointed as confidential
secretary of Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo Jr.
MARIANO, Ruperto
Ruperto Mariano
Dr. Ruperto Mariano

was married to Francisca Hizon
and had seven children:
Zenaida, Antonio (the dentistmayor), Nora, Ma. Theresa,
Gertrudes, Ma. Angeles and
Sally.
94
Dr. RUPERTO MARIANO (1902-1972) was Orions representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan from 1962 to
1967. He was the father of Dr. Antonio H. Mariano, Orions
mayor from 1992 to1995.
Dr. Mariano was a native of Bagumbayan, Orion.. He completed his degree in Medicine from the University of Santo
Tomas. Aside from his profession, Dr. Mariano derived additional income from operating several fishing boats, fishponds
and farm lands in Orion.
With his stature in society it was no surprise when he was
personally appointed by Governor Pedro R. Dizon to replace
Bataan Board Member Toribio Sioson of Hermosa who resigned
from his position on December 7, 1962. In less than a year, he
was persuaded by re-electionist Gov. Dizon to run for the same
elective position during the November 1963 polls. He accepted
the challenge and was elected together with two other board
members Benjamin Pascual of Orani and Rufino Navarro of
Samal.
The succeeding election (1967) was not as successful as the
first for Dr. Mariano. The Guillermo Arcenas-led team beat the
Dizon ticket. Only Atty. Rufino Navarro won. Mariano went
back to private life and practice of his profession.
MISSIONARIES
MARIANO, Sergio J.
SERGIO JIMENEZ MARIANO (1937) served as a board
member of Bataan from 1995-1998, 1998-2001 and 2001-2004. He
was a municipal councilor of Orion from 1992 to 2001.
Board Member Mariano was born in Wakas, Orion on February
9, 1937. His parents were Rufino Mariano and Francisca Jimenez,
both natives of Orion. He finished his secondary education at the
Jose Rizal Institute-Orion. He, however, failed to complete an engineering course at the Far Eastern University where he enrolled
after high school.
At age 55, Mariano ran for a councilor seat in 1992. He won in
his first attempt. He was re-elected in 1995. It was during his second term that he was also elected as president of the Provincial
Councilors League (PCL) over Atty. Tomas Dilig of Bagac. He
represented the PCL in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as an exofficio member. He was the third councilor to become a board
member. He continued performing his duties as board member after getting re-elected as Orion councilor in 1998.
Mariano ran a successful campaign for a regular board member
seat in 2001. One of his major accomplishments was the establishment of the Orion National High School in Barangay Balagtas
which officially opened in June 2002.
Unfortunately, Mariano failed in his bid for re-election in 2004.
Sergio J. Mariano was married to the late Carmen Gomez of
Manila. The couple has two children: Sergio Jr., and Michael. The
family currently resides in Villa Angeles.
Missionaries
The Dominican Friar-Preachers set foot in Bataan in 1587. Father
Christopher Salvatierra of the Dominican Order, came to Bataan to
minister the teachings of the Catholic Church among the natives he
found in the province. A year later, other friars joined hands with
Fr. Salvatierra in establishing the first pueblo in Bataan, which was
Abucay.
The Augustinians, Franciscans and the Jesuits also had the opportunity to work in Bataan but their stay had always been temporary. The Franciscans founded Morong in 1607, the same year the
Recollects came to Mariveles. It was a Franciscan friar Sebastian
de Baeza who encouraged more natives to embrace christianity.
The Jesuits were also reported to have established a mission
center in Mariveles in 1582, six years before Abucay became a
town. Fr. Domingo de Salazar, a Jesuit, was one of those who did
mission work in Mariveles.
The Augustinians were also believed to have conducted mission
work in Dinalupihan, Bataan from their convents in Betis and
Lubao, Pampanga. These missionaries eventually abandoned
Bataan.
The Dominican Order played a major role in the development
and cultivation of faith among the people of Bataan.
Sergio J. Mariano
PCL Presidents:
Rod Izon
Abucay
Ernesto Enriquez
Samal
Sergio Mariano
Orion
Rey Ibe
Orani
Billy de Leon
Mariveles
Fr. Christopher Salvatierra

is the acknowledged father of
Bataan. He was a native of Castilla
la Vieja (Old Castile) in Spain. He
studied Arts and Theology at the
Illustrious Convent of Saint Stephen
of Salamanca. After arriving in Manila, he was appointed provisor of
the Lord Bishop and Vicar General
of the Manila Diocese.
95
MOUNTAINS
The so-called Bataan Great Divide

runs from north to south, along the
crests of Mount Natib and Mariveles
Mountain. All rivers and streams on
the west side of the crests run west
into the South China Sea, while all
tributaries on the east side of the
crests flows into Manila Bay. The
Great Divide is the highest point in
Bataan that divides most of the provinces major natural waterways.
Mt. Malasimbu, Dinalupihan
The Mariveles Mountain and the Mount Natib complex are the
two major mountain ranges in Bataan. These mountains cover an
area of 111,072 hectares, equivalent to 80.9 percent of the total
land area of the province.
Mount Natib stretches from Dinalupihan-Hermosa area down
to Balanga. The Mariveles Mountain starts from Pilar and ends
in Mariveles. Mount Natib and Mariveles are of volcanic origin
with the exception of Mount Pinatubo Peak.
Mount Natib complex is composed of Mount Santa Rosa (800
feet above sea level); and Mount Santa Rita (485 feet); on the
north, Mount Natib on the east (1,253 feet); Bataan Peak on the
south (1,000 feet); and Mount Silangan on the west (910 feet).
Mount Malasimbu (400 m), also known as the little Mount
Mayon of Bataan lies inside the Zambales boundary and is not
a part of Bataan. It is more popularly known as Susong
Dalaga.
The southern peak includes Mariveles Mountain (1,388 feet);
Mount Limay or Cayapo (946 feet); Pantingan Peak (536 feet);
Orion Peak (465 feet); and Mount Alas-asin (406 feet).
The famous Mount Samat in Diwa, Pilar is part of the Mariveles Mountain. It towers up to 553 feet above sea level. The
fiercest battles during World War II occurred here in l942. The
Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) was constructed atop
the said mountain in l969 to commemorate the gallantry of the
Filipino and American soldiers against the advancing Japanese
Imperial Army.
Both mountain ranges, are in dire need of reforestation programs. The
last century was marked by irresponsible destruction of the forests
through illegal logging.
Mount Mariveles, Mount Samat on the right.
96
MUSIC
Municipio
The MUNICIPIO of Orion is a two-storey building located in
Barangay San Vicente, beside the St. Michael The Archangel
Church. The said lot has become the site of the towns presidencia
since 1894.
The municipal building is the place where the mayor, his staff,
line agencies and their employees hold office. It is also the home of
about 150 municipal employees and staff members of other government agencies.
The old presidencia was rehabilitated in 1903 by the first elected
mayor of Orion, Luis Baltazar. The said building was demolished
in 1954 to give way to a new two-storey, semi-concrete building.
Manila-based businessman, Gabriel Pascual, of Lati and owner of
the Manila Diesel Parts and Supply, donated P15,000 for the construction of the new municipal building. The project was completed
and inaugurated that same year, during the administration of Mayor
Manuel R. Santos (1951-1955)
Former Mayor Manuel C. Santos Jr., son of Mayor Santos Sr.
who built the municipal building in 1954, spearheaded the reconstruction of the municipio in 1989 through the support of former
DENR Secretary Fulgencio Factoran and Governor Leonardo B.
Roman.
The reconstruction project remained unfinished up to the present
time. Current Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. is exploring all possible means to raise the much needed fund for its completion.
Music
Filipinos are born musicians for they can easily learn tunes by ear. It
was the reason why Spanish colonizers encountered no difficulty in
teaching Spanish and other foreign music to the natives. They taught
children religious songs which were used mostly in church activities.
The Filipinos love for music continued from the pre-Spanish
period up to the present time. Orion, had a long list of musicians and
composers. Gregorio San Jose of Daan Bago is best remembered for
composing Veteranos dela Revoluccion, an overture conceived at
the height of the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards. A
European overture entitled 1812 (War of 1812) served as San
Joses inspiration in composing his own overture which was also
about war and peace. The musical piece was played many times by
ragtag bands from 1898 to celebrate the liberation of the people of
Bataan from the Spaniards.
Salvador Gomez Lonzon (1902-1998) was another well-known
musician from Orion. He played beautiful music with the saxophone
and the flute. He founded the first marching band of Orion in 1935.
It was a 40-member band composed mostly of local residents who
were taught how to play musical instruments by Lonzon. Despite its
popularity, the band was dissolved during the Japanese Occupation,
After the Liberation, Gonzalo Galo Carlos, together with Rustico
Baluyot, revived the group and renamed it Soriano Band. It was.
Bebeng Tiambeng
A marching band
97
NAVARRO, EMILIANO R.
Felicitas Esguerra
Master Teacher II
Music Director, Angelicus Choir
Trainor-Pianist, OES Childrens Choir
Dolores L. Brown
noted soprano
Toribia Carlos
noted soprano
Nn
Emiliano Navarro
Mayor, 1945-1946
Emiliano R. Navarro
Born: September 11, 1917
Parents: Buenaventura and
Toribia R. Navarro
College: UP, Law 1940
Wife: Luz Salaverria
Children: Susan, Lolita, Patria
Charlito, Jose, Antonio
Victoria
98
.one of the most popular bands in Bataan until it disbanded in

the early 1970s.
Baluyot, for his love of music, organized another brass band
in 1985. The Baluyot Band was dissolved 10 years later.
Bebeng Tiambeng also made a name for himself as a musician and band leader. In the 1950s, he founded an orchestra
named Beng Rodriguez and His Band which played in
Hongkong nightclub and restaurants for many years.
The Angelicus Choir of St. Michael The Archangel Church also became the pride of the town soon after it was organized in 1983 by Magdalena Lazaro, with Felicita Esguerra as the choir Director and Tessie
Simeon as the Pianist. The group brought honors to Orion after bagging
three Provincial Parish Choral Pasiklaban championship trophies in 1990,
1994 and 1995.
Orion also produced several individuals who excelled in music. Bernardo Roxas of Bagumbayan and Noel Samonte of Lati
became Tawag ng Tanghalan champions.
The town likewise produced some noted sopranos like Petra
Carlos and her daughters Demetria, Nellie and Toribia and
Dolores Lonzon Brown, the daughter of Salvador Lonzon.
NAVARRO, Emiliano R.
EMILIANO RODRIGUEZ NAVARRO
(1917-1961) of
Camachile was the 17th mayor of Orion. He was appointed to the
position by acting Bataan Governor Teodoro Camacho Sr. and
served from August 1945 to June 1946.
Atty. Navarro completed his Law degree from the University
of the Philippines (UP), cum laude, and passed the Bar in 1940.
He was appointed as provincial secretary from 1942 to 1943.
After Liberation, he replaced Arsenio Joco as mayor of Orion.
He distributed relief goods to the residents in town. He also rehabilitated the municipal building and repaired Tulay Gitna and
Tulay Baraka.
He was relieved from his post by Governor Joaquin J. Linao.
He was replaced by Agustin I. Angeles in July 1946. Instead of
running against Angeles in the 1947 polls, he opened a law office in Manila and taught at the UP College of Law, Philippine
Law School, and Arellano University. In 1949, he went to the
United States and finished his Masters degree from the University of Michigan. He wrote books on Criminal Procedure, Lead
Philosophy, Corporations Criminal Law, and Persons and Family Relations. He and wife Luz Salaverria-Navarro developed
the Mel-Luz Subdivision in Barangay Balagtas.
In 1961, Atty. Navarro ran as an independent candidate
against Congressman Jose R. Nuguid and former Press Secretary J.V. Cruz. He died after being sideswept by a Caf Puro van
while campaigning in Colo, Dinalupihan in the morning of November 1, 1961.
ORION
Orion Municipal Building
ORION is one of the 11 municipalities in the province of Bataan.

Originally a barangay (visita) of Abucay, it was established as a
vicariate on April 30, 1667. It was recognized as a regular town
a week later. It was the fourth municipality in the province to be
recognized as a regular town.
The town is located in the southeastern part of Bataan. It is
bounded on the north by Pilar , on the south by Limay, on the
east by Manila Bay, and on the west by Bagac. It has total land
area of 6,541 hectares or about 65.41 square kilometers.
Orion is approximately 132 kilometers away from Manila by
land and around 45-50 nautical miles across Manila Bay. It is
about 8 kilometers south of Balanga City, and about 20 kilometers north of Mariveles, the southernmost town in Bataan.
Orion has been classified as a third class municipality effective July 29, 2005. Its annual income in 2005 was registered at
P44 million.
In 1669, Orion expanded by extending its land area from
Calungusan up to Pandam (now Daan Pare). As of October
1961, Orion has only 11 barangays. To date, the town is composed of 23 barangays which are classified into two groups:
Town proper barangays Arellano, Bagumbayan, Balagtas,
Balut, Daan Bago, Daan Bilolo, Lati, Lusungan, San Vicente,
Villa Angeles, Wakas, Wawa; and Rural barangays Bantan,
Bilolo, Calungusan, Camachile, Daan Pare, General Lim, Kapunitan, Puting Buhangin, Sabatan, Santa Elena and
Sto.Domingo.
General Lim is the biggest barangay in terms of land area
(2,734 hectares), while Lusungan is the smallest with an area of
only 2.80 hectares.
The topography of Orion is generally mountainous 30 percent
of which is plain. The mountainous part is located on the western
part where Mariveles Mountain is situated. The town is an agricultural community. About 5,191 hectares of the total land area
is used for agricultural purposes.
Oo
Orion
Area: 6,541 hectares
Population: 44,067 (2000 census)
Townhood: April 30, 1667
No. of Barangays: 23
Class: Third Class Municipality
Fiesta: May 8
Rivers: San Vicente River
Sto. Domingo, Calungusan,
Pandam River
Famous Residents:
Emiliano Gancayco
Cayetano Arellano
Francisco Baltazar
Fulgencio Factoran, Jr.
Dominador Venegas
Gabriel Pascual
Cayetano Arellano
First Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court
99
ORION
Orion National High School
Orion Seal
The Seal of Orion is the official
symbol of the municipality. It is often
used on official
documents to guarantee its authenticity. The official
Seals central design is divided
into two halves, representing the
two major industries in Orion. On
the left is a simple depiction of
farmland, which represent the
agriculture industry of the town.
On the right is an image of a boat
in the middle of a sea (a replication of Manila Bay), symbolizing
the fishing industry; in the background is a mountain range which
represents the mountainous western part of the municipality. Dividing the two halves is a sword
with scales, a representation of
Don Cayetano Arellano, Orions
most famous son who became the
first Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court.
The Official Seal of Orion was
adopted and first used in 1948.
FACTS: An old Dominican document dated 1667 stated that the
word Orion meant southern tip. It
was named as such because the
place lies at the southern tip of the
old Partido de Bataan. Initially, the
town was named as San Miguel
Arcangel de Oriong.
UdyongA check with the existing official records found in St.
Michael The Archangel Parish
showed that in 1804, the town
was already known as Orion, not
Oriong or Udyong.
100
Timber and forest land area comprised 16.44 percent (860

hectares) of the total. Residential land area is 3.04 percent while
commercial and institutional land area has .23 percent and .19
percent, respectively.
There are five major river tributaries in the municipality.
These are the Calungusan River, Sto. Domingo River, San
Vicente River, Lucong River and Pandam River. All these rivers
and smaller creeks (Baa and Tabon Creeks) drain into Manila
Bay. The water provided by these tributaries is utilized for the
purposes of irrigating vast stretches of rice fields and farm lands
through the construction of water impounding structures.
Underground water is abundant in town. It serves as the prevailing sources of domestic water and potable drinking water.
These water resources can be tapped through a communal water
system. The Orion Water District (ORIWAD) provides potable
water to about 19 barangays. Households that are not reached by
the water system like Bantan, Calungusan, General Lim and
Santa Elena, get their supply of potable water from free-flows
Orion is basically an agricultural town.
and artesian pumps.

In addition to agriculture, residents are also involved in aquaculture. Fishponds for brackish water culture occupy a great
deal of land area in the municipality. Totalling some 172.6 hectares, these fishponds are located mostly within Barangays Bantan, Camachile and Capunitan. There are 30 brackish water fishpond operators in Orion as of 2003. Fresh water fishpond operators was registered at eight.
The length of Orions shoreline is estimated to be 7,823 hectares. People living in about 11 coastal barangays are engaged in
commercial fishing. Fisherfolks, with a total of 909 as of 2003,
use 520 motorized boats and 76 non-motorized boats.
Orions built-up areas are mostly concentrated around the
area of Poblacion proper and along the central coast line. Other
concentration of built-up areas can be found along the four major
road corridors (Bataan National Road, Roman Expressway,
Daan Bilolo Road and the Sto. Domingo Access Road), the fishing grounds in Santa Elena and the port in Puting Buhangin.
ORION (South Star)

Additional residential areas, mostly subdivisions in nature,
are already starting to mushroom away from the town core, in
the northern barangays of Bantan, Calungusan and Camachile.
About 98% of the Orion households are already energized
with PENELCO as the power distributor.
Water supply on the other hand is provided by ORIWAD,
San Vicente Waterworks, Lati Waterworks and Bantan Waterworks.
The Philippine Postal Corporation offers postal service facilities in the municipality while Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and DIGITEL offer both landline and wireless
telephone services. Globe Telecoms has established two cellsite
towers in Balut and Puting Buhangin while Smart has two towers in Balagtas and Daan Pare. Sun Cellular has one cell site in
Balagtas.
Orion legends
There are different versions as to
how Orion got its name.
Version One claims that Udyong
was derived from a word which
means mud (or luad in Tagalog).
Purportedly, the town was originally muddy in its early stages of
development. By means of continuous filling up of the low places,
the town was finally claimed from
its initial muddy condition. The
version goes on to state that the
Spaniards, unable to pronounce
Udyong, called it Uryong
Oryon and finally, Orion.
Version Two states that Orion
was given by the Spaniards allegedly after discovering that the
town was lying directly beneath
the bright star called Orion. Later
on, for facility of pronunciation, the
people called it Udyong.
Version Three is somewhat a
localized legend. Accordingly,
some Spaniards reached the town
and approached a crowd of natives who were concerned about
something. The Spaniards asked
the crowd what they were doing.
Believing that the foreigners were
asking about the worms on the
ground that they were attending
to, the natives answered uod yon,
meaning They were worms.
Since then, the Spaniards associated the place with Uod yon or
Udyong.
Orion, the Great Hunter

The name of the municipality was derived from Orion, one of the 88 star
groups, or constellations in the sky. Also known as the Great Hunter of
the heavens, Orion is one of the most splendid of all the constellations. Its
figure is roughly rectangular and easy to find. Orion is in the meridian at
about 9 p.m. on February 1, about 11 p.m. on January 1 and 1 p.m. on
December 1.
The Orion constellation is composed of a first-magnitude star called
Betelgeuse, a gigantic red star hundreds of times larger than our sun in
the Solar System. Rigel, a gorgeous blue-white star is at its left foot. Dividing Orions rectangle in two are the three stars of the belt, from which
hangs the Giant Hunters sword. The top star of the belt is called Delta,
which lies almost exactly on the celestial equator. M42 - a great gaseous
nebula - surrounds the middle star of the sword.
101
ORION
With the establishment of Poblacion

as the real center of Orion, a new
and bigger church was built in San
Vicente.
Intial town center
The Tutuban area, near the
Sto. Domingo River, was the
place where the first Catholic
chapel of St. Michael was built
by Fr. Domingo Perez in 1667.
In a sense, the area became the
initial center of the town. Poblacion was formally established as
the real town center only in
1680.
Mayor Tony Pep Raymundo with his

constituents.
102
Establishment of Orion as a regular town....

The group of Spanish missionaries who first set foot in Orion was led
by Fr. Christopher Salvatierra. They found the place already inhabited
by natives. Based on historical records, they were descendants of the
early Muslim seafarers who sailed to Luzon from Mindanao and
Visayas to be part of the growing barter trade with Chinese and Japanese merchants.
After proclaiming Calungusan (not Poblacion) as a territory under
the control of the Dominican Order, Fr. Salvatierra returned to Manila
to prepare the draft creating the Partido de Bataan. In his stead, he
tasked one Sergeant Trajano and two other Spanish soldiers to prepare
the area as well as the inhabitants for the coming of their new masters.
Immediately, Trajano and the soldiers established rapport with the
natives who were living in small clusters but separated by ri-vers,
swamps and marshlands. They convinced the natives to live close to
other groups of families in a form of socialized living. To do this, they
lured the natives by building a big residence near the Calungusan River
where the sick natives were brought and taken cared of by the Spaniards.
Fr. Domingo Perez, upon arrival in Orion in 1665, worked for the
recognition of Calungusan as a visita of Abucay. In 1667, Orion was
recognized as a regular town. Fr. Perez immediately built the first
Catholic chapel along the Sto. Domingo River, near the Tutuban area
where the Freds Mart is presently located.
After the death of Fr.
Perez, other Spanish missionaries came to Orion and continued the
Christianization of the natives.
Trajano, meanwhile, settled in Calungusan where he was given
ownership of a vast area of lands south of the barangay. He and his
family cultivated the area with the help of other natives who found agriculture as a more profitable economic activity than fishing and bartering.
In 1680, Poblacion was established as the real center of the town. A
new church made of bricks was erected in its present site. Trajano immediately transferred his family to the town proper. As his children
increased in number, the cultivated area planted by his family also expanded. After the death of his wife, Trajano transferred to Hagonoy,
Bulacan and stayed there until his death. It was the Trillana family,
Trajanos appointed administrators, who took charge of his possession
in Calungusan and in other barangays.
From 1887 to the present, the town was ruled by a mayor (initially
called gobernadorcillo, then kapitan municipal and presidente actual).
In 1919, as a result of the killing of Governor Conrado Lerma by
Jose Baluyut of Orion, newly-appointed Governor Pedro Rich placed
Orion and Pilar towns under military control. It explains why former
Mayor Simeon Rodriguez of Bantan became mayor of Pilar and Orion
from 1919-1921.
After Rodriguez, 20 more personalities served as mayor of Orion.
Antonio Raymundo Jr. of Daan Bago is the current mayor (2004-2007).
ORION (South Star)

Pandam River
The river used to be the bathing resort in Orion. It was a romantic area where
Orion gents and country lasses swim and take a bath in the cool and clear
waters of Pandam. During the Philippine Revolution against the Americans,
then Major Manuel L. Quezon also went to the Pandam River to bathe.
HISTORICAL SITES
Residence of Francisco Baltazar

Located in Barangay Wakas, the old Spanish-designed residence of the famous Balagtasan king and his wife, Juana Tiambeng was destroyed during
World War II. Its massive walls and conrete ruins are mute evidences of the
size of the building where the father of Tagalog poetry once lived.
Mansion of Don Cayetano Arellano
A marker in Barangay Arellano across St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Church marks the spot where the Ancestral house of the famed first Filipino
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court once stood. Relatives on his mother side
occupied his house after his death until it was totally destroyed.
Statue of Unknown Soldiers
Built in Barangay Wakas in memory of the bloody encounter between the
Spanish casadores headed by one Sergeant Guerra) and the Filipino revolutionaries led by Victor Baltazar (grandson of Francisco Baltazar). The encounter actually happened in Daan Pare in the afternoon of May 29, 1898. It
resulted in the loss of about 22 casadores and guardia civil. It was the first
victory of Filipinos against the Spaniards.
Don Cayetano Arellano marker at

Arellano
Daan Pare
The area was the site of the USAFFE encampment during World War II.
Many lives and valuables of soldiers and civilians were lost in the place immediately after the Japanese broke through the Mount Samat defense line.
Those who were too weak to retreat towards Limay were captured by the
Japanese. A big number of the prisoners-of-war were shot or bayoneted to
death. Daan Pare was a hallowed ground.
First Public Market Site
The first public market, located in Barangay Arellano (not the area now occupied by the St. Michael Hospital in Wakas), was once the scene of the bitter
fight between the Japanese soldiers and the American liberators in February
1945. The encounter resulted in the considerable loss of lives on both sides.
After the incident, General Douglas MacArthur personally visited all the eastern towns in Bataan, including the market site in Orion, from February 5-7,
1945 while waiting for the outcome of the on-going battle at Zigzag Pass
(Dinalupihan-Hermosa area).
Orion Catholic Church
The church was the scene of many daring attempts of local revolutionaries to
defeat the Spaniards stationed in Orion. During World War II, the churchs
spires and tower were used as observation posts by USAFFE soldiers especially during bombing runs by enemy planes. The Japanese also used it as
observation posts while assaults in Daan Pare against retreating FilipinoAmerican soldiers were going on.
The Glorietta
Also known as bandstand, Orions glorietta was a shining and concrete example of the civic spirit displayed by former Mayor Valeriano Soriano, a native
of Orion, who invoked the spirit of lusungan or bayanihan to have the structure completed in 1935.
Monument of Unknown Soldiers,

Barangay Wakas
First Public Market Site, now Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall
Orion Catholic Church
103
ORION MAYORS, VICE MAYORS

No.
Mayor
Vice Mayor
I
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
Damian Baluyut
Maximino Salaveria
Pedro Baluyut
Ceferino Baltazar
Procopio Rivera
Francisco Antonio
Vicente Rodriguez
Damian Baluyut
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
Pedro Hipolito
Mariano Angeles
1
2
3
Vicente Rodriguez
Luis Baltazar
Simeon Rodriguez
Simeon Rodriguez
Mariano Angeles
Mariano Angeles
Francisco Calimbas
Francisco Urquisa
Donato Calimbas
Aproniano Tiambeng
Simeon Rodriguez
Perfecto Evangelista
Fausto Paguio
Manuel R. Santos
Manuel R. Santos
Manuel R. Santos
Jose Baltazar
Valeriano Soriano
Agapito Rivera
Arsenio Joco
Emiliano Navarro
Agustin I. Angeles
Agustin I. Angeles
Manuel R. Santos
Alberto Cristobal
Manuel R. Santos
Ricardo T. Angeles
Gabriel L. Manrique
Gabriel L. Manrique
Gabriel L. Manrique
Gabriel L. Manrique
Alfredo Pangilinan
Jose Q. Lim
Manuel C. Santos Jr.
Antonio H. Mariano
Basilio Santos
Simeon Rodriguez
Francisco Urquisa
Francisco Urquisa
Pedro Hipolito
Pedro Hipolito
Francisco Urquisa
Esteban Dupungan
Nicasio Baluyut
Agapito Angeles
Agapito Angeles
Paulo Venegas
Francisco Calimbas
Agustin Angeles
Agustin Angeles
Simeon Rodriguez
Mariano Mejia
Alejo Candido
Estanislao Cuevas
Estanislao Cuevas**
Quirino Quicho
Pedro Pangilinan
Pedro Pangilinan
Qurino Quicho
Andres Buenaventura
Jose Quicho
Felizardo Bernabe
Ernesto Pascual
Antonio H. Mariano
Antonio H. Mariano
Antonio H. Mariano
Quirino Quicho
Quirino Quicho
Teodoro T. Catalan
Erlinda Guzman
Antonio Raymundo Jr.
Eugenia Mariano
Rolando Banzon
Virgilio Isidro
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
* appointed
104
** officer-in-charge
Year
1901-1903*
1903-1905
1905-1907
1907-1909
1909-1910
1910-1912
1912-1914
1914-1916
1916-1918
1918-1919
1919-1921*
1921-1923
1923-1925
1925-1927
1927-1929
1929-1931
1931-1934
1934-1937
1937-1940
1941-1945
1945-1946*
1946-1947*
1947-1951
1951-1955
1955-1959
1959-1963
1963-1967
1967-1971
1972-1976
1976-1979
1980-1986
1986-1987**
1987-1988**
1988-1992
1992-1995
1995-1998
1998-2001
2001-2004
2004-present
ORION MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS

Municipal Officials of Orion
Based on available data
Term coverage: 1951-1955
Mayor
Manuel R. Santos
Vice Mayor
Quirino Quicho
Councilors
Avelino Sabino
Primitivo Salaveria
Antero Dizon
Felizardo Bernabe
Pedro Cruz
Celerino Reyes
Mayor
Alberto Cristobal
Vice Mayor
Andres Buenaventura
Councilors
Jeremias Apolinario
Felizardo Bernabe
Ramon Flordeliz
Bernardo Pizarro
Avelino Sabino
Isidro Bautista
Mayor
Manuel R. Santos
Vice Mayor
Jose B. Quicho
Councilors
Pedro Quicho
Celerino Reyes
Pedro B. Cruz
Bienvenido Navarro
Felizardo Bernabe

Mayor
Ricardo T. Angeles
Vice Mayor
Felizardo Bernabe
Councilors
Roberto Menardo
Pedro Venegas
Alberto Almazan
Isidro Bautista
Avelino Sabino
Jeremias Apolinario
Leonardo Bantog
Mayor
Gabriel L. Manrique
Vice Mayor
Ernesto Pascual
Councilors
Jeremias Apolinario
Avelino J. Sabino
Ramon Floredeliz
Pedro Santos
Rafael Reyes
Francisco Mariano
Alfred T. Seeckts

Mayor
Gabriel L. Manrique
Vice Mayor
Councilors
Avelino J. Sabino
Rafael M. Reyes
Pedro R. Santos
Jeremias Apolinario
Ramon F. Flordeliz
Teodoro T. Catalan
Alfred T. Seeckts
Mayor
Gabriel L. Manrique
Councilors
Avelino J. Sabino
Rafael M. Reyes
Pedro R. Santos
Teodoro T. Catalan
Ramon F. Flordeliz
Francisco B. Isidro
Feliciano A. Trajano
Peter T. Seeckts
Professional
Manuel R. Quicho
Capitalist
Ramon N. Villazor
Industrial/Labor
Manuel Q. Quicho
Agriculture
Pedro B. Cruz
ABC
Alfredo G. Hernandez
KB
Carlota Tamayo
Elizabeth B. Zulueta
(vice Carlota Tamayo 1978)
Mayor
Gabriel L. Manrique
Vice Mayor
Councilors
Teodoro T. Catalan
Peter T. Seeckts
Pedro T. Santos
Avelino Sabino
Remegio Sabino
(vice Avelino Sabino, May 1983)
Ramon F. Flordeliz
Rafael M. Reyes
Alfredo Q. Roxas
Alfredo E. Llamzon
(vice A. Roxas, 1981)
ABC
Roberto V. Fernandez
KB
Elizabeth B. Zulueta
105

OIC Mayor
Alfredo L. Pangilinan
OIC Vice Mayor
Quirino Quicho
OIC Councilors
Antonio J. Raymundo
Jose B. Baltazar Jr.
Eufracio F. Pascual
Elino P. Valenzuela
Manoling E. Cruz
Arsenio C. Quicho
Alberto H. Almazan
Remegio Angeles
ABC
SK
Ariel M. Roque

Mayor
Vice Mayor
Councilors
Reynaldo S. Waje
Jose Z. Joco
Celedonia B. Navarro
Romeo P. Mateo
Eliseo V. Cuevas
Miguel L. Cruz
Nelson E. Rodriguez
Sergio J. Mariano
ABC
Flordeliza A. Sabino
SK
Rochelle A. Sabino
Term coverage: October 1987-January 1988

Mayor (acting)
Jose Q. Lim
Vice Mayor (acting)
Quirino R. Quicho
Councilors (acting)
Jose Baltazar Jr.
Manoling Cruz
Conrado Rodriguez
Guillermo Dizon
Florentino Bantog
Victor Lonzon
ABC
SK
Ariel Roque

Mayor
Vice Mayor
Eugenia E. Mariano
Councilors
Reynaldo S. Waje
Uldarico P. Cernias
Virgilio B. Isidro
Miguel L. Cruz
Sergio J. Mariano
Romeo P. Mateo
Edward T. Seeckts
Remegio Sabino
ABC
Melinda N. Berja
SK
Chiqui N. Berja

Mayor
Vice Mayor
Teodoro T. Catalan
Councilors
Jose Z. Joco
Peter T. Seeckts
Edgardo C. Flordeliz
Pedro T. Santos
Antonio J. Raymundo
Rodolfo Apolinario
Manuel G. Cruz
ABC
SK
Ariel Roque
Time Coverage: 1992-1995
Mayor
Vice Mayor
Erlinda E. Guzman
Councilors
Pedro S. Mateo
Carlito B. Manrique
Remegio R. Sabino
Fernando M. Llamzon
Peter T. Seeckts (1994)
Edward T. Seeckts (1995)
Eliseo Cuevas
Sergio J. Mariano
ABC
Nelson E. Rodriguez
Flordeliza Sabino
(vice N. Rodriguez, 1993)
SK
Rochelle Sabino
106

Mayor
Vice Mayor
Dr. Rolando S. Banzon
Councilors
Virgilio S. Catalan
Virgilio B. Isidro
Edward T. Seeckts
Reynaldo J. Waje
Luz D. Austria
Miguel L. Cruz
Isagani B. de Leon
ABC
Melinda N. Berja
SK
Chiqui N. Berja
Term coverage: 2004 to present
Mayor
Vice Mayor
Virgilio B. Isidro
Councilors
Isagani B. de Leon
Edward T. Seeckts
Danilo D. Bunsoy
Eugenia E. Mariano
Luz D. Austria
Angelita C. Santos
Donaldo R. Chan
ABC
Melinda Berja
SK
Rex Joseph R. Fuster
107
ORION PROFILE
BARANGAY
Date established
Population
hectares)
(2000 Census)
Arellano
1915
3.58
714
Bagumbayan
1928
3.88
1,431
Balagtas
February 1972
35.62
1,560
Balut
1928
20.15
1,070
Bantan
1915
141.52
1,490
Bilolo
755.22
3,936
Calungusan
1875/1964
124.32
1,156
Camachile
1915
64.26
1,466
Capunitan
April 20, 1964
7.37
3,900
10
Daan Bago
July 24, 1961
8.38
1,145
11
Daan Bilolo
1928/1961
44.09
2,484
12
Daan Pare
1819/1915
1,258.19
3,593
13
General Lim
Mar. 10, 1966
2,734.68
2,301
14
Lati
July 24, 1961
5.47
1,533
15
Lusungan
Feb.15, 1962
2.80
1,709
16
Puting Buhangin
March 23, 1964
319.69
2,217
17
Sabatan
March 24, 1972
343.76
2,583
18
San Vicente
1667/1928
76.94
1,281
19
Santa Elena
Sept. 7, 1988
25.43
1,128
20
Sto. Domingo
1883/1915
302.04
3,063
21
Villa Angeles
Feb. 4, 1972
8.31
1,605
22 Wakas
1928/Jul. 24, 1961
14.29
950
23
July 24, 1961
7.07
1,752
6,541.00
44,067
Wawa
Total:
108
Area
ORION HISTORY IN CAPSULE

The Orion History
Contains events concerning
Bataan and Orion in particular,
(expressed in bold face type
letters). The entries were the
results of intensive research and
interviews conducted by the Municipal Historical Committee.
1300 The Malays settle in Luzon, in the areas surrounding Manila

Bay, including Bataan.
1400 These settlers begin trading with Japanese and Chinese businessmen. Manila becomes the major trading center as well as
other established localities in Luzon.
1521 Magellan discovers the Philippines, March 16.
1565 Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrives in the country and begins
Spanish colonization.
1587 Fr. Christopher Salvatierra sets foot in Bataan and discovers
existing villages in Abucay, and the area between Orani and
Calungusan and Pandam in Orion.
1588 Abucay, already inhabited by more than 2,000 natives, is made
into a pueblo by Dominican missionaries. Orion becomes a
visita of Abucay, June 10.
1607 Franciscan fathers establish Morong as a pueblo.
1610 Tomas Pinpin learns typographic printing in Abucay through
Fr. Blancas de San Jose.
1634 Lorenzo Ruiz, a Catholic layman from Binondo, arrives in
Abucay for his scheduled mission to Japan along with Fr. Miguel Gonzales de Aozaraza.
1637 Ruiz, Fr. Aozaraza and other missionaries sail from Abucay to
Japan, May 10
1637 Sucesos Felices, a book by Tomas Pinpin, is off the press.
1641 Samal, a former visita of Abucay, is recognized as a town, April 20.
1647 Two hundred of the 600 Pampango soldiers defending the Abucay
church are shot and killed in the churchyard by Dutch invaders.
1667 Orion is recognized as Dominican pueblo (town). A wooden
chapel is built in the Tutuban area, along the Santo Domingo
River. It becomes the temporary home of St. Michael Archangel. Fr. Domingo Perez is assigned as first parish priest.
1680 A new church made of bricks takes shape in Barangay San
Vicente, after the death of Fr. Domingo Perez.
1714 Balanga and Orani become regular municipios, April 21.
1751 Orion registers a population of 1,083.
1754 Mariveles is recognized as a regular town.
1756 Hermosa is established as a new town, May 8.
1763 Some 60 British troopers and other mercenaries land in
Orion but were repulsed by the combined Spanish soldiers
and Orion natives, April 28.
Early settlers start barter trade with

foreign merchants.
The arrival of the Spaniards
Orion church, built in 1680
109
Gomburza: Secular priests
C. Arellano
1768 Spanish Governor General Jose Raon orders all secular priests
to take over the curacies held by regular priests.
1770 An unnamed vicar of Orion turns over the parish to Fr. Domingo Ursua of the Secular Clergy, June 18.
1801 Pilar is recognized as a regular town of Bataan through the
initiative of the Secular Clergy, March 10.
1822 The Dominicans take back their former curacies as ordered
by Spanish King Ferdinand VII.
1832 Orion church is finally returned to the Dominicans and
placed under the stewardship of Fr. Miguel Lerma.
1842 Well-known poet, Francisco Baltazar marries Juana Tiam
beng in Orion. Fr. Cayetano Arellano, uncle of the first chief
justice of the Supreme Court, officiates the wedding, July 22.
1847 Cayetano Arellano, first Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, is born.
1852 An earthquake hits Orion and causes severe damages to
the Orion church.
1862 The church of Orion is damaged by fire, September 16;
Francisco Baltazar dies.
1865 Dinalupihan makes it to the list of regular towns of Bataan.
1870 A two-storey parochial school opens in Orion; Enrollment
figure reaches to 300 students.
F. Baltazar
Local revolutionaries start the siege

of Orion in May 1898.
Dominican Legacy
The Dominicans were able to
establish Abucay (1588) Samal
(1596), Orion (1667), Orani
(1714), Balanga (1714), and
Hermosa (1757). Pilar was
founded by the Seculars in 1801
but turned over to the Dominicans in 1833. Dinalupihan was
also established by Secular
priests.
1873
1875
1877
1880
1883
1885
1885
1893
Locals join the Katipunan
110
1898
Bagac is added to the list of regular municipios of Bataan.

Capunitan is established as a barrio of Orion.
Limay is the last town to be recognized as part of Bataan, July 4.
Cholera strikes Abucay; victims die as fast as they contacted
the disease.
Sto. Domingo is recognized as a barrio of Orion.
The Church of Pilar is finally covered with galvanized iron
sheets.
Gregorio del Rosario Quicho, Bataan governor from 19261929 and 1929-1931, is born in Lati, Orion, Dec. 15.
A big fire razes the town center of Orion, May 3; Jose dela
Guardia, Spanish governor of Bataan, writes the Governor
General to revert the status of Mabatang from a town to a barrio, Aug. 22.
Victor Baltazar and his Katipuneros defeat the Spaniards in
Pulta (Daan Pare). Orion falls into the hands of
Katipuneros. The Pilar church is burned by local rebels led by
Gregorio Paguio. The convent also goes up in smoke, May 28;
Spanish authorities in Balanga also surrender to Gen. Domingo Alonzo, May 29.
After defeating the Spaniards, local

revolutionaries return to battle
against the Americans.
Gouldman arrives in Balanga, 1899
Limay
After its reversion to the status
of a barrio in 1893, Limay remains is a distant barangay of
Orion until 1917.
1899 Captain John Gouldman and his American troops attack

Orion and burn Santo Domingo to the ground as a result of
the Caminong Putol ambush incident, September 15.
1900 Victor and Luis Baltazar, both revolutionary leaders in Orion
surrender to Captain Gouldman.
1901 The Americans establish a civil government in Bataan. Captain
John Gouldman becomes the first military governor of Bataan,
January 1.
1901 Vicente Rodriguez is appointed presidente actual (mayor) of
Orion, Aug.10.
1903 Luis Baltazar becomes the first elected mayor of Orion
through acclamation.
1904 The Americans catch General Artemio Ricarte in Mariveles,
May 29.
1905 Governor Lorenzo Zialcita names Orani as capital of Bataan.
Simeon Rodriguez of Bantan is elected mayor of Orion, the
third top town executive since 1901.
1907 Simeon Rodriguez is re-elected mayor of Orion; Camachile is
separated from Sto. Domingo. Others claim that the separation transpired in 1914.
1909 Mariano Angeles is elected 4th mayor of Orion.
1911 Governor Mariano Rosauro returns to Balanga its title as capital of Bataan.
1912 Francisco Calimbas reigns as 5th mayor of Orion.
1914 Francisco Urquisa becomes 6th mayor of Orion, along with
Esteban Dupungan as vice mayor.
1915 Bantan, formerly called Barangay de Juan Enriquez, and
Daan Pare are created as regular barrios of Orion.
1916 Donato Calimbas is elected 7th mayor in the first most expensive
election in the country. Nicasio Baluyut is the vice mayor.
1917 American Governor General Francis Burton Harrison formalizes the creation of Limay as a town, January 1
1918 Aproniano Tiambeng is elected as 8th mayor of Orion.
Agapito Angeles is vice mayor.
American Governor General Francis

Burton Harrison
Filipino Revolutionaries
111

Two Towns, One Mayor
Orion and Pilar are merged as
one town in 1919 and
placed under military control
by Governor Pedro Rich.
Simeon
Rodriguez
is
appointed as mayor of the
two towns until 1921.
A. Joco
F.
Evangelista
Jose Rizal Institute, 1926
J. Baltazar
V. Soriano
1919 Gov. Conrado Lerma of Pilar is shot and killed by Jose

Baluyut of Orion. Orion is place under military control by
appointed Gov. Pedro Rich. Weeks later, Orion is annexed to
Pilar. Simeon Rodriguez, former mayor of Orion, is appointed mayor of Pilar and Orion from 1919 to 1921.
1920 Alberto Aquino wins as new governor of Bataan. Bataan High
School is finally moved to Balanga. Orion returns to its normal status as regular town with its own mayor.
1920 Cayetano Arellano, former Chief Justice, dies, Dec. 23
1921 Perfecto Evangelista is new Orion mayor, the 10th since 1901.
1923 Fausto Paguio wins as 11th Orion mayor. His vice mayor is
Francisco Calimbas, a former mayor.
1925 Manuel Santos is elected 12th mayor of Orion; Agustin
Angeles is vice mayor.
1926 Jose Rizal Institute-Orion opens inside the Orion convent.
1927 Manuel Santos Sr. is re-elected mayor, together with Vice
Mayor Simeon Rodriguez.
1928 Arellano, Balut, Daan Bilolo and Bagumbayan are created
as regular barangays of Orion.
1929 Manuel Santos Sr. and Simeon Rodriguez get re-elected as
mayor and vice-mayor.
1930 Limay gets its own parish.
1931 Pilars new church, the present one, is built in front of the old
church across the street. Jose Baltazar becomes 13th mayor of
Orion. The vice mayor is Mariano Mejia.
1934 Valeriano Soriano (14th) and Alejo Candido are poll winners
as new mayor and vice mayor of Orion.
1934 Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmena Sr. are sworn in as
President and Vice President of the Philippine Commonwealth, November 15.
1937 Agapito Rivera becomes 15th mayor of Orion, with Estanislao
Cuevas as vice mayor.
1938 Bantan Barrio Primary School opens, June 10.
1941 Arsenio Joco wins as 16th mayor of Orion. Estanislao Cuevas
is re-elected as vice mayor.
1941 Pearl Harbor in Hawaii is attacked by the Japanese Navy and Air
Force. This signals the start of the World War II, December 7.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1942 signals the start of World War II.
112

QUICK WAR
With control of the air, the Japanese expected Bataan to fall
quickly after the fighting in Central Luzon and the capture of
Manila. The Japanese failed in
their expectation.
1941 War Plan Orange 3 takes effect. USAFFEE forces troop to

Bataan for a last stand against the Japanese aggressors. The
arrival of many American and Filipino soldiers in Orion surprise the residents, December 28.
1942 Mabatang is burned down by USAFFE to clear the area for
enemy visibility. The defense line collapses, January 17.
1942 The Japanese Army concentrate their attack on the OrionBagac Defense Line; Mount Samat in Pilar is the center of
bloody encounters, April 1.
1942 The Japanese captures the USAFFEs positions atop Mount
Samat, April 5.
1942 The Orion-Bagac Defense Lines is broken; General Edward
King surrenders Bataan to the Japanese Army, April 9; the
infamous Death March begins, April 10.
1942 Arsenio Joco continues to serve as mayor until 1945.
1945 General Douglas MacArthur returns to the Philippines to liberate the country; In March, the Banzai Counter-Attack transpires in the vicinity of the old Orion public market where
several Japanese soldiers were killed by the American forces.
1945 A month after the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan
signs the terms of surrender to the Allied Forces on board USS
Missouri at Tokyo Bay; The war is over, September 2.
1945 Newly-installed Philippine President Sergio Osmea reorganizes national and local government units immediately after the
war. Teodoro Camacho, former Congressman, is appointed
new governor.
1945 Emiliano Navarro is appointed by Gov. Camacho as the 17th
mayor of Orion, together with Vice Mayor Quirino Quicho,
September 8; The population of Orion is merely 4,000.
1946 Agustin Angeles is appointed as replacement of Emiliano
Navarro. He becomes the 18th mayor of Orion.
General Vicente Lim

suggested to General MacArthur
to launch a counter-attack, left
Bataan and retake Manila. MacArthur, surprisingly, rejected the
plan.
General MacArthur returns to Corregidor after the war
E. Navarro
A. Angeles
113
M. Roxas
E. Quirino
Freedom is restored in 1946. Celebration is held at the Luneta.
Manuel Santos Sr.
Gabriel R. Pascual
a Manila-based businessman
from Orion, donates P15,000 for
the construction of a two-storey
municipal building in 1954. He
also finances the completion of
the Samal municipio.
114
1946 The Philippines becomes an independent republic, July 4.

1946 Manuel Roxas and Elpidio Quirino are elected president and
vice president of the Philippines. Bonifacio Camacho of Abucay is the new Bataan congressman. Joaquin J. Linao of Morong is appointed new Bataan governor, August 5.
1947 An election for local officials is held, November 12.
1948 Emilio Naval of Balanga becomes new governor. Agustin Angeles wins at the polls and continues serving Orion from
January 1, 1948 to December 31, l951.
1948 President Manuel Roxas dies, April 15. Elpidio Quirino is
sworn in as new president, April 17.
1949 Election for barangay lieutenants is held, Feb. 8.
1949 Simeon Rodriguez, former Orion mayor, dies, April 9; Mrs.
Aurora Aragon Quezon, widow of former President Quezon,
and her daughter Baby and ten others are killed in an ambush
in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. Bandits and Huks are the primay
suspects, April 28.
1949 Elpidio Quirino wins the polls as president of the Philippines,
November 11; The name Barrio Pulong Bato is changed to
Puting Buhangin, Nov. 18.
1950 Medina Lacson de Leon of Balanga becomes Bataan congresswoman after beating re-electionist Congressman Bonifacio
Camacho of Abucay, January 2; Capunitan Elementary
School opens to the public, June 11.
1951 Local officials also get elected and Adelmo Camacho beats
Emilio Naval in the gubernatorial race, November 13.
1952 Former Mayor Manuel R. Santos Sr. returns to the municipio
as the 19th mayor of Orion, together with Quirino Quicho,
vice mayor, Jan. 1.
1953 Ramon Magsaysay, former Defense Secretary, wins as president in the November 10 national elections. Carlos P. Garcia is
the vice president. JV Cruz, a native of Bataan, becomes Press
Secretary. Fortunato de Leon of Arellano, Orion is appointed
as President Magsaysays Executive Secretary. For Congress, Atty. Jose R. Nuguid of Orani beats re-electionist Congresswoman Medina Lacson de Leon.
1954 Luis Taruc of the Hukbalahap group surrenders to the government, May 17; Jose Rizal Institute relocates to its new campus site in San Vicente, June 8.
1955 Adelmo Camacho is suspended; Federico Muli of Dinalupihan
acts as governor from April 23 to May 16; The new Bantan
Elementary School opens in its present site.
1955 Local elections are held. Emilio Ma. Naval becomes governor
of Bataan while Alberto Cristobal is elected mayor of Orion,
the 20th; Andres Buenaventura is the new vice mayor;
Gabriel Pascual, a native of Wakas who became a wellknown businessman based in Manila, loses in his bid for a
congressional seat against incumbent Congressman Jose R.
Nuguid, November 8.
1956 Antonio L. Raymundo Jr., current Orion mayor, is born in
Wawa, August 8.
1958 Sto. Domingo Elementary School opens, June 9.

1959 November 14 is picked as date for local elections. Office of the
vice governor is included. Starting this year, Balagtas Day
(April 2) is celebrated as a special public holiday in Orion.
1960 Ferdinand Marcos heads the list of the newly-elected senators.
In Bataan, Atty. Pedro Dizon, former mayor of Balanga, gets
elected as governor; Atty. Faustino Vigo, also a former
Balanga mayor, is the vice governor.
1960 Manuel R. Santos defeats Alberto Cristobal and becomes 21st
mayor. Dr. Jose Quicho is the new vice mayor.
1960 John F. Kennedy gets elected as US President in the November polls.
1961 Daan Bago, Wakas, Wawa and Lati are recognized as regular
barangays, July 24; Diosdado Macapagal beats Carlos Garcia
for the presidency; Emmanuel Pelaez is vice president; Jose R.
Nuguid is still Bataan congressman, November 14.
1962 The celebration of Independence Day is changed from July 4 to June 12
as per President Macapagals executive order, February 6; Lusungan is
established as a regular barangay, Feb. 15.
1962 Stanvac in Limay changes name to ESSO, June 10.
1964 Atty. Pedro Dizon is reelected governor of Bataan, beating
Atty. Faustino Vigo. Guillermo Arcenas, former mayor of
Hermosa, is the new vice governor. Ricardo T. Angeles wins
in the local polls, beating Bernardo Pizarro. He becomes the
22nd town mayor. The vice mayor is Felizardo Bernabe, a
former councilor, January 1.
1964 The construction of the Bataan School of Fisheries starts in

Barangay Daan Bago; Calungusan, Capunitan and Puting
Buhangin are recognized as barangays, March 23.
1965 Taal Volcano erupts, September 29.
1965 Ferdinand Marcos defeats Diosdado Macapagal for the presidency; Fernando Lopez is new vice president; November 9.
1966 Don Pablo Roman of Pilar beats Jose R. Nuguid for the congressional post of Bataan, January 1; Roman is selected as one
of the 20 outstanding congressmen of the Philippines, December 20.
1967 Construction of the Shrine of Valor atop Mount Samat starts,
May 2.
1967 Guillermo Arcenas is winner of the provincial polls over Governor
Pedro Dizon. Efren Pascual is vice governor; Gabriel L. Manrique
wins over Ricardo Angeles and becomes the 23rd mayor of Orion;
Ernesto Pascual is the new vice mayor, November 14.
President Ramn Magsaysay

dies in plane crash on March 17,
1957. Carlos P. Garcia becomes
president on March 17. Election
for national officials is held on
November 12. Three months
later, Carlos P. Garcia is sworn
in as elected Philippine President after beating Jose Yulo.
Diosdado Macapagal of the Liberal Party wins as vice president. Jose R. Nuguid remains as
Bataan Congressman.
C. P. Garcia
D. Macapagal
P. Dizon
R. Angeles
Limay
a former distant b a r a n g a y o f
Orion becomes a prosperous
town with the establishment of
ESSO in Alangan. ESFAC, an
agricultural fertilizer plant, is also
established in Lamao.
F. Marcos
G. Manrique
115

1968 Arcenas assumes office after resolution of Dizons protest,
April 1.
1969 Inauguration of the Shrine of Valor at Mount Samat is held;
President Ferdinand Marcos is special guest, April 9.
l969 Bonifacio Camacho Memorial High School opens in Calaylayan, June 7.
1969 Ferdinand Marcos is reelected president by beating Sergio Osmea Jr. Fernando Lopez is still vice president, November 9.
1971 Elections for local officials is held, November 11. Gabriel
Manrique is re-elected mayor, with Dr. Antonio H. Mariano
as new vice mayor.
1972 Former vice governor Efren B. Pascual of Orani is sworn in as
new governor after winning over Guillermo Arcenas. Atty.
Rufino Navarro of Samal is elected vice governor.
1972 Villa Angeles and Balagtas are recognized as new barangays,
Feb. 4; Sabatan on March 24.
Mount Samat Shrine in Pilar
Orion Municipal High School

in Barangay Capunitan
Gov. Gregorio Quicho
116
Anti-Marcos protests
1972 Ferdinand Marcos declares Martial Law (Proclamation 1081),
September 21.
1973 The 1973 Constitution is ratified, January 17. Congress is abolished.
1973 Construction of the Roman Expressway starts April 7.
1973 Commodore Rudiardo Brown, a Marine Commandant and
native of Orion, dies in a plane crash in Lamao, Limay;
Manuel R. Santos Sr., a former mayor of Orion, dies, Oct. 3.
1974 The first Orion Municipal High School opens inside the
Capunitan Elementary School campus, June 8.
1975 The Friendship Tower in Bagac is inaugurated, May 9;
Gregorio R. Quicho, former Bataan governor from Orion,
dies in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Sept. 9.
1976 Efren B. Pascual is still governor with 14 representatives forming the Citizen Assembly. Judy Carunungan is the Kabataang Barangay chairman while Pablo Roman Jr. represents
the Federated Association of Barangay Captains, Feb. 4.
1976 Manrique remains as Orion town executive despite the absence of election. The new municipal council is composed of
18 municipal representatives. The position of vice mayor is
abolished.
1976 Construction of the Gov. Joaquin J. Linao Highway (concrete
pavement from Pilar to Morong) starts.
1976 Judy Carunungan of Pilar is elected KB representative at-large,
thus becoming an Assemblywoman, together with Antonino
Roman.

1977 Don Pablo Roman, Bataan congressman, dies, February 2.
1977 The Roman Expressway is completed, July 16.
1978 Mauricio Q. Pizarro of Pilar is the new DECS Bataan Division
schools superintendent, November 20.
1979 Despite a national purge, Gabriel Manrique remains as the
town mayor of Orion. Atty. Efren B. Pascual resumes as governor of Bataan; Orion Water District is established.
1979 Gov. Linao Highway is completed, December 5.
1980 Efren B. Pascual takes oath as re-elected governor along with
Carolina Beltran as vice governor.
1980 Manrique continues as municipal mayor of Orion after beating Ricardo Angeles during the January 31 local elections.
Dr. Antonio H. Mariano is still the vice mayor.
1981 Mayor Carlos Pizarro Sr. opens classes for first year students
of the Pilar Municipal High School (now called Pablo Roman
National High School), June 7.
1981 Ferdinand Marcos beats Alejo Santos and Bartolome Cabangbang for the presidency, June 16.
1981 Assemblyman Antonino Roman is appointed by Marcos as
deputy finance minister, Sept. 9.
1982 Jose Payumo of Dinalupihan is elected president of the Bataan
Mayors League. Barangay Captain Victoriano Swin of
Capunitan is shot and killed by armed men, July 12.
1984 The first Orion Municipal High School (more popularly
known as Balagtas High School) closes down due to financial problem;
1986 Snap election is held February 7.
Roman Expressway, July 1977
Former Senator Ninoy Aquino

is killed by a gunman upon arrival in Manila, Aug. 21, 1983.
EDSA Revolution starts, February 22; Cory Aquino and

Doy Laurel are sworn in as
president and vice president
of the country, February 25,
1986.
1986 Leonardo Ding Roman is appointed OIC governor of

Bataan; Mayor Gabby Manrique is replaced by OIC Mayor
Alfredo Pangilinan, the 24th mayor, March 18; Former
Mayor Gabriel Manrique dies, Sept. 5.
1987 Jose Lim is sworn as acting mayor during local election. He
earns the title of 25th mayor of Orion.
1988 Manuel C. Santos Jr. wins as 26th mayor of Orion after besting OIC Mayor Fred Pangilinan and Tony Mariano, February 1.
1992 National and local elections are held, May 11.
1992 Cory ends term; Fidel Ramos is elected new president, July 1.
C. Aquino
A. Pangilinan
F. Ramos
Jose Lim
117
Gov. Enrique T. Garcia Jr.
L. Roman
M. Santos Jr.
Orion National High School

becomes the 29th mayor of
Orion in 2001. He is re-elected
in 2004 and will serve until 2007.
118
l992 Enrique Tet Garcia wins as governor of Bataan over Ding

Roman; Dr. Antonio H. Mariano, former vice mayor wins
over Manuel Santos Jr. He becomes the 27th mayor of
Orion. Erlinda Guzman is new vice mayor, September 1.
1993 Recall election is held in Bataan, the first in the country. Tet
Garcia loses to Ding Roman, December 20.
1994 Leonardo Roman takes over as governor, July 1.
1995 Elections for local officials are held. Roman wins as governor,
May 10.
1995 Manuel C. Santos Jr. becomes the 28th mayor of Orion; Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. is vice mayor, July 1.
1997 The new Orion Public Market opens in Barangay Balagtas.
1998 Joseph Estrada is new Philippine president after winning in the
May 14, 2001 polls. Gloria Arroyo is vice president. Ding Roman
is governor while Tet Garcia and Tony Roman win as congressmen. Manuel Santos Jr. defeats his former Vice Mayor Antonio
Raymundo Jr.; Eugenia Mariano is vice mayor, July 1.
1998 Former Congressman Felicito Payumo replaces Dick Gordon
as SBMA chairman.
1999 Former Mayor Antonio H. Mariano dies, May 4.
2000 Estrada is deposed after EDSA 2. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
the vice president, takes over as President, January 25.
2001 Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. is elected mayor of Orion, the
29th; Dr. Rolando Banzon is vice mayor; July 1.
2002 Orion National High School opens in Barangay Balagtas, June
8; St. Michael Hospital, a private institution, is inaugurated;
New SK officials and Punong barangays are elected, July 15.
2004 National and local polls are held. Gloria Arroyo beats movie actor
Fernando Poe Jr. while Noli de Castro wins over Loren Legarda.
2004 Enrique Tet Garcia is sworn in as new governor of Bataan
after beating former Vice Governor Rogelio Boy Roque. Ben
Alonzo wins as vice governor. In Orion, Antonio Raymundo
Jr. is re-elected for his second term against former Mayor
Manuel Santos Jr.; Virgilio Isidro of Bantan wins as vice
mayor. July 1.
2005 Dominador Venegas of Orion, former congressman of the
second district of Bataan, dies at age 84.
2006 Orion becomes a third class municipality.
ORION-BAGAC DEFENSE LINE
Japanese war planes rule the sky during the entire invasion
Red line on the map of Bataan shows

the Orion-Bagac Defense Line
The ORION-BAGAC DEFENSE LINE is referred to as the second

defense line put up in Bataan by the USAFFE (USFIP) against the advancing Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
Under War Plan Orange B, Bataan was divided into two major
defense groups. Eastern Bataan was placed under II Corps while the
western part was covered by the I Corps. Two defense lines were
drawn.
The Abucay-Morong Defense Line was the first defense formation.
It was manned by the 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts,
41st Division headed by General Vicente Lim and the 51st Division of
the Philippine Army led by General Clifford Bluemel of the US Army,
together with the 11th and 21st Divisions.
Preparing the defense line necessitated the clearing of trees and burning of houses in Mabatang for enemy visibility. Only the church and
two 18th century houses were spared and used as command posts. The
line from the beach to Mount Natib was lined with spiraling barbed
wire and foxholes. Wide clear areas were planted with land mines.
The line was attacked by the 200,000-strong Japanese Army on
January 9, 1942. It continued day and night until January 17. The Filipino and American soldiers fought bravely. Though outnumbered and
hungry, they stood on their respective positions, holding the enemy at
bay for as long as they could hold.
The Japanese major assault in Abucay came in January 17. Fully
recognizing a lost battle, the defenders retreated to the Orion-Bagac line
on January 24. Fierce fightings were recorded in the Mount Samat
(Pilar) area.
There was a lull in fighting in Bataan starting on February 18, 1942.
The Japanese Air Force, which at the start of the invasion was busy in
aerial attacks, was withdrawn out of the Philippines. The period of lull
was characterized by a battle of propaganda from both sides. On March
20, one Japanese infantry division arrived in the Philippines as..
Hermosa-Dinalupihan Line
although a defense formation,
was not declared officially as a
defense line but only a delaying
strategy to give USAFFE soldiers ample time to get into defense positions. The HermosaDinalupihan Line was manned
by the 71st Division, the US 31st
Infantry Regiment and the 26th
Cavalry. It was abandoned by
the USAFFE on January 6, 1942
after being subjected to heavy
artillery attacks from the Japanese.
A Japanese officer, for his failure to capture Mabatang in

three days, committed hara-kiri
(suicide) in a ricefield outpost in
Sitio Binlok, San Juan, Samal.
Lt. Col. Kuro Kitamura was
buried in the same place but the
Japanese later exhumed his
remains and shipped them back
to Japan.
119
ORION-BAGAC DEFENSE LINE

...reinforcement, complete with war supplies like artillery and
airplanes. Two days later, the Japanese started saturation bombings of Corregidor. General Homma ordered a new artillery fire
and saturation bombings of Mount Samat and its surroundings
on April 1 to celebrate the founding of the Japanese Empire.
Then the Japanese Infantry launched simultaneous attacks on
Mount Samat two days later. In just one day, the Japanese were
able to capture the northern part of Mount Samat. Casualty was
heavy on both sides. On April 5, the Japanese reached the top of
Mount Samat and used it as observation post.
On April 7, the Japanese entered Orion where remnants of the
USAFFE defenders continued to fight it out with the enemy.
Meanwhile, another group of defenders prepared still another
line along the Mamala River in Limay knowing that the
A war memorial marker erected in
USAFFE will soon abandon Orion.
Nagwaling, Pilar
American Prisoners-of-War,
with hands tied, wait for
the start of Death March.
LAST MESSAGE
FROM BATAAN
BATAAN has fallen. The Philippine-American Troops on this
war-ravaged and blood-stained
peninsula have laid down their
arms. With heads bloody but unbowed, they have yielded to the
superior force and numbers of the
enemy.
The world will long remember the epic struggle that Filipino
and American soldiers put up in
the jungle vastness and along
the rugged coasts of Bataan.
They have stood up uncomplaining under the constant and grueling fire of the enemy for more
than three months. Besieged on
land and blockaded by sea, cut
off from all sources of help in the
Philippines and in America,
these intrepid fighters have done
all that human endurance could
bear.
- Broadcast over the Voice of
Freedom announcing the Fall of
Bataan, April 9, 1942
120
The Alangan Defense Line was established on April 8. In the

afternoon, it collapsed. The Lamao Defense Line was established
on April 9 but it was immediately abandoned. General Bluemel
also established the Cabcaben Defense Line but it was no longer
necessary.
At about 9:30 a.m. of April 9, emissaries of General Edward
P. King were sent to the Japanese line to negotiate for a truce. At
12:30 p.m., General King proceeded to the Lamao Agricultural
Experimental Station and signed the initial documents of surrender in the presence of Colonel Motoo Nakayana, a representative
of General Homma. Bataan fell on April 9, 1942.
On April 10, General King and some American officials were
brought to the Balanga Elementary School. There he signed the
final surrender documents. That same day, the infamous Death
March started from Mariveles and Bagac.
ORION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The year 1907 saw the birth of the ORION ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL, also known to many as the Cayetano Arellano Memorial
Elementary School. For the record, the first public learning institution in the municipality has been in existence for the past 100 years.
The school celebrated its Centennial foundation with elaborate activities highlighted by the recognition for its Outstanding Alumni.
What was once a wooden two-classroom building built in the middle of rice paddies had survived the destructive work of the elements and the passing of time and remained as the central public
learning institution in Orion.
There was no formal educational system way back during the
Spanish period. Fortunate residents, both young and old, learned to
read and write through the Katon method, either at home or at the
kumbento (convent). When the Americans came, they immediately
established the public school system in Orion and in various parts
of the country. It was part of the so-called Benevolent Assimilation
campaign of the new masters. They thought that by propagating the
educational system, they would be able to suppress the growing
Filipino nationalism and convince them that the Americans were
their guides and partners in progress. The Thomasites, community
workers from the United States, were sent to the Philippines to
propagate the said school system.
The implementation of the educational program in Orion started
in 1903. The homes of some civic-spirited residents of Orion were
used as initial classrooms. The English language became the medium of instruction for effective communication between the colonizers and the colonized. A year later, residents who acquired a
minimum knowledge of English were hired as the first Filipino
teachers. A woman known to be the mistress of a certain Mr. Rath,
who owned a canning factory in Bagumbayan (near the San
Vicente River), was also employed as a teacher.
In 1905, classes were transferred to the present municipio site
where a chalet-type building was ordered built by former Mayor
Simeon Rodriguez. As expected, the student population expanded
as children from distant barangays like Bantan and Puting Buhangin enrolled in the school.
It was one Mariano Angeles, a rich landowner from Wakas,
who donated the initial 1.3-hectare lot he owned in Daan Bilolo..

Established in 1907, the school
was initially known as the Orion
Municipal School. Later, it was
changed to Orion Elementary
School. In 1966, the Municipal
Council passed a resolution renaming it as Cayetano Arellano
Memorial Elementary School but
there is no existing record to
prove that it was approved by
the Provincial Council. The
school is currently known as
Orion elementary School.
Orion Elementary School boasts
of numerous honors in the field of
Music, Mathematics, Spelling,
Arts, Science, HKS, and Declamation Contests. It has produced
champions in the district, regional
and national levels
Former District Supervisors
Mr. Joaquin Cornejo
Ms. Ester Calimbas
Mrs. Pacita Bagtas
Mr. Dominador Jorge
Ms. Rosenda Consunji
Mr. Julian Calimbas
Ms. Arceli Calimbas
Mrs. Rosario de Guzman
Dr. Hilario Garcia
Mrs. Concordia Cunanan
Mrs. Simona Mercado
Mrs. Oliva Isip
Present: Mrs. Beata Samaniego
Mr. Sinupao and Mr. de Jesus,
both teachers of music, developed
the first Bataeo graduate of the
UP Conservatory of Music, Mr.
Alfredo Vitangcol
121

...for school use. Adjoining lots were later either purchased or donated in
Former School Principals
response to the need for a bigger campus for elementary pupils in Orion. It
Diego Rodriguez
Anjel Sinupao
is now presently occupying a three-hectare The incumbent Mayor Simeon
Bonifacio Camacho
Rodriguez (1905-1907 and 1907-1909) immediately initiated the construcAntonio Bagtas
tion of two new school buildings in the middle of rice paddies in late 1906.
Corazon Pizarro
The facility was inaugurated in 1907 and initially called Orion Municipal
Avelina Cruz
Guillermo Dizon
School.
Nenita Joson
Angeles, who also served as mayor of Orion from 1909-1910 to 1910Julian Calimbas
1912, added another building to accommodate the growing population of
Ester Manlapid
students.
Erlinda Gatdula
Carolina Baluyot
The first Gabaldon buildings in Orion were built and inaugurated in
Concordia Cunanan
1925. Both the main building and the Science Room, also of GabaldonIsabel Mison
type, are still in existence today. The shop building, Home Economics
Danilo Santos
building, the Rosalina Fonacier building (where the present stage is located)
Filomina Buhain
and a two-storey building were also built inside the campus in succession.
Ma. Fe Angeles
Marcelino Zulueta
Most of these buildings were damaged during the war and had to be torn
down for the safety of the pupils and the teachers. In their place, new builTeaching Staff
dings were built immediately after the war.
Marisol M. de Leon, Belen P.
At present, Orion Elementary School has a total of 56 classrooms wellQuicho, Rona V. Balmaceda,
spread in 23 buildings.
Janette C. Anjelo, Ingrid N.
Some of the notable teachers of the school include Gloria Santos FactoEspaol, Ruvirosa B. Felipe,
Vivian, S. Pizarro, Paulette T. dela
ran, Emiliano Carlos, Aurea Legaspi, Concordia Cunanan, Angelo PaRosa, Teresita M. Siasat, Perla O.
yumo, Fanny Baltazar-Pascual, Emilia Gancayco, Rufina Chan, Ambrocio
Bawalan, Armida Bautista, RacAlarcon, Matilde Sto. Domingo, Magdalena Lazaro, Marina Santos,
quel C. Bautista, Baby Lonia MeAndres
Simeon, Cayetano Alarcon, Munsay Reyes, Eufracia Tiambeng,
dina, Leslie B. Clavel, Anna Liza
P. Bongco, Ofelia V. Cabritit,
Herminia Mejia, Marcela Guzman, Martha Tiambeng, Rodrigo Sapuyot,
Dolores E. Tuazon, Annette D.
Rosario del Rosario, Maria Rodriguez, Rogaciano Sanchez, Martha SanQuezon, Clarita Q. Roman, Carochez, Susana dela Pea and Carlos Tiangco. Some of them rose to the ranks
lina Paguio, Cherrie P. Red, Gloas principal, district and division supervisors.
ria M. Navarro (Ret.), Josefa T.
Peralta, Myrna B. Bartolome,
Orion Elementary School is among the best public schools in the proClarissa L. Nacpil, Beverly E.
vince with respect to pupil achievement, teacher competence and efficiency
Baluyot, Ofelia S. Bagtas,
and administrative prowess. On many occasions, it was adjudged as a diviYolanda A. Canoy, Anna Marie P.
sion pilot school in various subjects.
Vitangcol, Julia R. Santos, Luduvina L. Quezon, Rhoda D. SantiThere is a continuing growth in the number of pupils coming from the
ago, Mary Grace dela Cruz, Nora
poblacion and adjoining barangays who seek enrolment at OES due to its
M. Magpoc, Resie R. Baluyot,
location, accessibility, pleasant and spacious campus and excellent instrucEmma R. Magpoc, Conchita S.
tions. SY 2006-2007 brings about 1654 pupils (I-VI) mentored by 57Fernandez, Myrna B. Sabino,
strong teachers.
Zenaida S. Guzman, Ofelia R.
Reyes, Corina P. Guzman, FeliciDr. Amelia Nohay is the current school principal. She replaced
tas T. Esguerra (Ret.), Helena R.
Marcelino Zulueta on June 2006.
Tadeo, Alma Bagtas, Lorina I.
The school is presently known as Orion Elementary School. It remains
Rodriguez, Dennis V. Navarro,
as the central primary and intermediate school in Orion.
Manuel Felipe, Criselda P. Cruz,
Julieta Q. Pangilinan, Teresita S.
In August 1966, the municipal council passed a resolution renaming it as
Bosi, Jane Ringor, Aurora Sibug,
Cayetano Arellano Memorial School. There is no existing document to
Naty de Guzman, Carmelita M.
prove that the municipal resolution was either approved or disapproved in
Hernandez, Violy Morandarte,
the provincial council. But whatever name it is known today, the school
Grace Mangila, J. Sinongco, Consuelo Evangelista
takes pride in producing graduates who became professionals and successPrincipal: Dr. Amelia J. Nohay
ful in their chosen fields. They keep coming back and pay visits to the
school which gave them their basic knowledge.
122
Old Buildings; Left photo, Arellano Building now used as Administrative Building, right photo, the Camacho Building,
now Science Building.
Children and teachers involved in clean and green program
Beata Samaniego, PSDS (2nd from left,

standing) with Dr. Amelia Nohay
(extreme left), standing and other OES
teachers
Fonacier Building
District teachers of Orion in front of the former Fonacier Building
123
50 YEARS AFTER 1907. Orion Elementary School Teaching Staff.
100 YEARS LATER. The school mentors in SY 2006 2007
124
ORION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
The ORION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL in Barangay Balagtas is the only public high school in Orion. It was inaugurated
and officially opened in June 2002, during the first term of
Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo Jr.
The school was the Dream Come True of incumbent Orion
Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. through the support and assistance of Dr. Norma P. Castillo, Division School Superintendent,
Congressman Rodolfo C. Bacani of Manila, Undersecretary
Ramon Bacani and former DECS Secretary Raul Roco. Three
two-storey buildings worth P20,000,000 were initially constructed on a 8,000 square meter lot donated by the family of
Pablo Cuevas. An additional 2,000 square meter lot was bought
by the provincial government while Orion businessman Joey
Sioson donated the road (about 3,000 square meters) leading to
the campus. The buildings were inaugurated during the term of
former Gov. Leonardo B. Roman.
The third building was completed during the first year administration of current Bataan Governor Enrique T. Garcia Jr.
Another two-storey building and the so-called one-storey TET
building and a 20,000 gallon overhead water tank, were added to
the existing campus in 2004 through the initiative of Governor
Garcia Jr., Congressman Albert S. Garcia and Mayor Raymundo
Jr. The projects were started on August 16, 2004 and completed
on October 15, 2005.
For the School Year 2006-2007, the student population
reached the 1,215 mark. The school held its first graduation rites
in April 2006. The first batch of graduates totaled 204. Dr. Antonio Q. de Guzman is the first and current principal of the school.
Students doing group study
ONHS Human Resources

Antonio Q. de Guzman Ph.D.
Principal
Teaching Staff
Jhenie R. Agustin, Reynalyn I. Andres,
Jermie H. Artuz, Marjorie Lesly T. Bernalte, Mylene A. Calma, Miguela B. Cayabyab, Gemma S. Corpuz, Annabelle
T. Crisostomo, Haidee C. Dabu, Anna
Rica J. de Castro, Ma. Teresa C. de
Jesus, Glenda V. dela Vega, Joan V.
delos Reyes, Jennifer S. Dominguez,
Erwin V. Gomez, Annaliza V. Isidro,
Marilou Q. Llioren, Maylyn F. Manalo,
Jocelyn T. Mena, Perlana R. Mosquera,
Edgardo E. Ordiales, Evelyn C. Quicho,
Riza E. Quicho, Ma. Eloisa C. Quisim,
Leonor R. Ramirez, Conrado P. Refuerzo, Rosalie C. Refuerzo, Madelaine
M. Saba, Juanita C. Sangalang, Recy G.
Santos, Larcy Laudiam M. Vasquez.
Administrative Staff
Arturo E. Cruz, Jomar M. Lazo, Armando
C. Sabino, Pamela F. Tulio
Former Teachers/Staff
Willy Castel, Keithlyn de Asis, Ricky
Montes, Janet Ronsairo, Lilibeth San
Jose, Ronald Tinao
125
ORION PORT
Port Tomas Capinpin
was initially built in late 1967 by
the Philippine Port Authority. A
hydrofoil initially serviced passengers from Pulong Bato to
Manila and vice versa. An expansion program worth P300
million was introduced at the
port by President Fidel V.
Ramos. The port currently has
facilities for Ro-Ro operations
but remained
inoperative. A
P35 million cruise terminal is
expected to rise soon at the Puting Buhangin port.
Orion has a municipal port located in Barangay Puting Buhangin. It is more popularly known as Port General Tomas Capinpin. The port was initially used for the operation of a hydrofoil passenger vessel during the late 1967. It catered to businessmen doing business in Limay and Mariveles, specifically at the
former Bataan Export Processing Zone.
Most of the facilities at the port are for passenger operations.
This include, a booking/ticketing office, a passenger waiting
area, commercial stalls, vehicular parking and a co-vered walkway connecting the passenger area to the ferry doc-king area.
There is also a public transportation available in the port which
includes tricycles and shuttles to transport the passengers to and
from the port.
The Orion municipal port is being used as an alternative
transport for passengers in going to and coming from Metro Manila. The port on the Metro Manila side is located at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines complex.
Proposed Diosdado Macapagal Cruise Terminal
President Arroyo leads in

the
groundbreaking ceremony of the
Diosdado Macapagal Cruise Terminal, May 29, 2006.
Cruise ferry service
126
The initial operator of the Manila-Bataan route is the Mount

Samat Ferry Liner which offers six trips (total of 12, both ways)
daily from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is a 180-capacity passenger
vessel but its actual average number of passengers per trip is
100.
In early 2006, Sun Cruise, another ferry service, started its
operation at Orion Port. It offers three trips (total of six, both
ways) daily.
The port is being renovated and upgraded to comply with the
new program and policies of the national government for seaports, which include RO-RO (roll on-roll off) operations. As
present, the RO-RO facility in Orion is not fully operational because the port still lacks some of the supporting infrastructure.
The municipal government unit has been continuously communicating with the appropriate national agencies on the improvement of existing infrastructures within the port area.
On May 29, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the
groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed P35 million Diosdado Macapagal Cruise Terminal at Port Capinpin.
ORION PUBLIC MARKET

ORION PUBLIC MARKET is the major commercial center of
Orion. It is located in Barangay Balagtas, north of Orion town
plaza.
The market is a 6,520 square meter building situated in a onehectare lot. It maintains dry and wet stalls for market vendors
and costumers. It also has a wide area for parking space. It was
built of reinforced concrete, masonry and covered by steel
trusses and G.I. roof sheets. It was completed in 1997, during the
administration of Mayor Manuel Santos Jr.
The municipal slaughterhouse is located in Pag-asa, Barangay
Wawa. To date, it needs repair and upgrading to meet the requirements set by the national agency for meat standard.
Orion has two fishports which are located in Barangays
Lusungan and Wawa. Both have a docking area and a drier for
fishermen. The fishports have no cold storage and other postharvest facilities.
The market and slaughterhouse presently contribute some
P199,441.00 monthly to the municipal treasury.
Meanwhile, some enterprising residents put up talipapas in
various places in Orion. These mini-marts provide the daily food
requirements of residents who are relatively living far from the
center of the town.
Orion Public Markets wet section
Markets dry section
Orion Public Market

The market is one of the major contributors to the municipal
coffers of Orion. It contributes
about P200,000 a month from
the stall rentals alone.
Orion slaughterhouse in Wawa
The Orion Public Market in Balagtas
OLD MARKET SITES:

The old public market of Orion was located in Barangay Arellano, beside the residence of former Mayor Manuel Santos Jr. It is presently being used by the Sangguniang Bayan of Orion and
other local government offices. After a big fire in 1935, the market was transferred to Barangay
Wakas. The 1,500 square meter lot is situated along the Bataan National Road, near the Orion
Bridge. The market opened in 1935. Records showed that the market area was the scene of fierce
fightings between the Liberation forces and the Japanese Army in February 1945. The second market also burned to the ground as a result of the fighting. It was reconstructed in 1950 at the cost of
P70,000.00. The old markets site is presently occupied by the St. Michael Hospital which opened
in 2002.
127
ORION WATER DISTRICT
ORIWAD Office in Balagtas
Pp
Orion Water District

ORION WATER DISTRICT (ORIWAD) is one of the four waterworks systems in Orion. The other three are the San Vicente Waterworks, Lati Waterworks and Bantan Waterworks. The four facilities
supply water to 2,616 households, about 30 percent of the total
8,735 households in Orion. All the four waterworks have deep wells
with submersible pumping stations and watertanks as main water
supply sources.
ORIWAD was established in 1992 during the administration of
Mayor Antonio H. Mariano and Vice Mayor Erlinda Guzman. It
chiefly serves barangays not served by the three other waterworks
systems. It services some 2,180 households which makes it the biggest water facility in town.
Lati Waterworks supplies water to residents of Barangay Lati
while the San Vicente Waterworks is exclusive to Barangay San
Vicente. Bantan Waterworks covers the whole of Bantan (Grande).
Pablo Roman Elementary School
Pablo Roman Elementary

School in Brgy.Wawa
Teachers of Pablo Roman ES
Students of Pablo Roman ES
128
The PABLO ROMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is one of the

most impressive projects initiated and completed in Orion by former
Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique. The school has risen beyond the expectations of those who witnessed the growth of the institution that
grew out of a reclaimed area in Pag-asa, Barangay Wawa.
The school was named after Don Pablo Roman, former congressman of Bataan who is acknowledged as the father of the first export
processing zone in the country. The school is considered as one of
the best and most complete schools among the other barrio schools
in the municipality. It has well-furnished classrooms and has its own
covered court to boast of.
Pablo Roman Elementary School was inaugurated on June 19,
1978. It serves not only the children of Wawa but the neighboring
barangays as well, such as Daan Bago, Bagumbayan, Lusungan and
Balut.
For the school year 2005-2006, the number of children enrolled
was registered at 382.
Zenaida B. Isidro is the current school principal. She is being assisted by 13 other teachers.
PANGILINAN, ALFREDO L.
PAGUIO, Fausto
FAUSTO PAGUIO ( - ) was the 11th mayor of Orion. He
served from 1923 to 1925.
Paguio is said to have his roots in Pilar and only settled in San
Vicente, Orion after his marriage. He was an acknowledged song
composer in the company of some famous musicians in Bataan
like Toribio David, Mariano and Pedro Dimalanta of Hermosa,
Nicolas Flores and Mariano Danque of Abucay, Claudio
Valenzuela of Samal and Roque Sevilla of Orani and Jose Tuazon
of Balanga who wrote Magtanim ay Di Biro..He was also one
of the incorporators of Jose Rizal Institute (JRI).
He ran for mayor against Perfecto Evangelista, the incumbent
mayor, and won. His Vice Mayor was Francisco Calimbas, also a
former mayor.
PANGILINAN, Afredo L.
ALFREDO LACSON PANGILINAN (1932) served as the
24th mayor of Orion from 1986 to 1987. He succeeded former
Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique as a result of the EDSA Revolution
of 1986.
Mayor Pangilinan was born in Orion on February 13, 1932.
His parents were Gregorio F. Pangilinan and Vicenta Lacson.
both natives of Orion. He finished his primary and secondary
education from the Orion Elementary School and Jose Rizal Institute. He completed his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the Far Eastern University in Manila.
Pangilinan was employed as cashier at the Bataan Refining
Company (now Petron Bataan Refinery) in Alangan, Limay. He
retired in 1981 after 15 years of service to the company.
Soon after, Pangilinan was deeply involved in the trucking
business. His appointment as OIC-Mayor of Orion was approved
by Secretary Nene Pimentel of the Department of Interior and Local Government. After taking his oath of office, he ministered the
affairs of Orion from May 1986 to September 1987. Being a
graduate of Business Administration, the fiscal management of
the local government of Orion became his main concern during
his administration.
He also aspired for an extension of his government service. He
ran for the same position during the 1988 local elections. It was
former Board Member Manuel Santos Jr. who won at the polls
over him and Dr. Antonio Mariano.
Pangilinan ran again for mayor during the 1992 polls against
Mayor Santos and Dr. Tony Mariano. Mayor Tony Mariano won
the election.
Pangilinan is married to the former Natividad Naval, public school
teacher, with whom he has three children: Raymund (Economics graduate,
MBA and Doctorate in Canon Law); John Arnel (Doctor of Medicine);
and Maria Alna ( Massscom graduate of Maryknoll College).
Fausto Paguio,
Mayor, 1923-1925
Alfredo L. Pangilinan
Mayor, 1986-1987
In his one-year stint in office, his

outstanding achievements were
the concreting of Tulay Gitna,
Bagumbayan-Balut Bridge,
Camachile Bridge and a portion
of the F.R. Simeon St.
129
PANGILINAN, PEDRO E.
Pedro E. Pangilinan
Pedro E. Pangilinan
was married to Adoracion
Guzman of Capunitan with
whom he had four children: Ligaya, Leticia, Benjamin and Renato, who once served as secretary of the Sangguniang Bayan
of Orion. During the administration of Mayor Gabriel Marique.
Efren B. Pascual
Governor, 1972-1986
Atty. Efren B. Pascual

was married to Pagasa Estanislao of Dinalupihan. One of his
children, Efren Jr., served as
vice governor of Bataan from
1992 to 1995. He is currently
serving his third term as mayor
of Orani.
130
PANGILINAN, Pedro E.
PEDRO ESTRADA PANGILINAN (1904-1974) was Orions
vice mayor from 1946 to 1951, during the incumbency of Mayor
Agustin L. Angeles.
Pangilinan was a native of Barangay Capunitan. He was born
on June 20, 1904 to parents Felipe Pangilinan ang Genoveva
Estrada. He completed his primary education at the Orion Elementary School. He enrolled at the Arellano Memorial Bataan
High School but was not able to finish his high school education.
Life at sea became his daily means of livelihood. Later, he
learned the lucrative art of marketing fish products and became a
major supplier during the war years (1941-1945).
In 1946, he and Agustin L. Angeles were appointed by acting
Governor Joaquin J. Linao as vice mayor and mayor of Orion,
respectively. After a year in office, they ran for the same position against the tandem of former Vice Mayor Estanislao Cuevas
(1937-1940) and former Mayor Emiliano Navarro (1945-1946).
The result of the 1947 local elections went into their favor. Angeles and Pangilinan served from 1947 to 1951.
Pangilinan returned to his marketing business until his death
on January 21, 1974.
PASCUAL, Efren B.
EFREN BALTAZAR PASCUAL (1928-2002) was the 24th governor of Bataan. He served from January 1972 to March 1986, a
total of 15 years.
Atty. Pascual was born in Orani on June 7, 1930. His parents
were Dr. Francisco Pascual Sr. and Francisca Baltazar, a native of
Orion and one of the granddaughters of Francisco Baltazar and
Juana Tiambeng. He finished his Law degree from the University
of the Philippines and became a full-fledged lawyer on March 2,
1956.
Three years later, he ran for mayor of Orani and won over incumbent Mayor Lorenzo Bongco. As mayor, he initiated the formal
creation of Parang-parang, Wawa, Pantalang Luma, Pantalang
Bago, Tenejero, Centro Uno, Centro Dos, Palihan, CarboneroPaking, Calero, Balut, Masantol, Silahis, Bayan, Talimundoc, Tala,
Tapulao, Kaparangan and Mulawin as regular barangays of Orani.
He was the first mayor in Bataan to direct a stage play in his town
while serving as municipal executive.He was re-elected in 1963
together with Godofredo dela Pea, the vice- mayor.
He ran for vice-governor and runningmate of Governor Pedro
Dizon during the November 1967 local elections. He won but
Dizon lost to former Vice-Governor Guillermo Arcenas of Hermosa. As expected, Arcenas and Pascual met head-on during the
November 1971 polls. In the final tally of votes, it was Pascual who
won by a big margin over Arcenas. Atty. Rufino F. Navarro of
Samal became the new vice governor. Pascual retained his position.
PASCUAL, GABRIEL
.during the Martial Law period and continued to serve Bataan
until 1980. Atty. Navarro challenged his leadership during the
1980 local elections but it was unsuccessful. Pascuals term ended
abruptly in March 1986 as a result of the EDSA Revolution. He
was replaced by an OIC-Governor, Leonardo B. Roman.
During his incumbency as governor, Pascual was able to complete major projects through the Economic Support Fund. These
projects include the new Bataan National High School, Capitol
extension building, major roads and bridges. It was also during his
administration that the Roman Expressway, Dambana ng Kagitingan, Philippine Refugee Processing Center and the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant were completed.
Pascual passed away on February 25, 2000.
PASCUAL, Gabriel R.
GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ PASCUAL was a successful Manilabased businessman who aspired to serve Bataan as a congressman
in 1956. Unfortunately, he was not as lucky as his townmate
Dominador Naval Venegas who, in 1992, was elected as Bataans
congressman.
Gabriel, popularly known as Aben and a native of Barangay
Lati, amassed enormous wealth a few years after establishing his
own trading company called the Manila Diesel Parts and Supply.
The company was involved in supplying light and heavy equipment and parts needed by the shipping industry.
To show his deep love and concern for his home province
(Bataan), he began paying his income tax returns in Orion, starting
1950. As a result, other local government officials started communicating with him, requesting him to pay his taxes in their municipality. In addition to Pascual, other successful Bataan businessmen doing business in Manila, the likes of Don Pablo Roman and
Venegas, also received similar requests. Townmates flocked to see
him in his resthouse in Wakas now part of Daan Bilolo every time
he came home.
In addition to the usual tax payments, Pascual also donated
P15,000 to Orion Municipal Council. The amount was used in the
construction of the new municipal building in 1954. It was completed that same year.
A similar donation was made by Pascual to Samal. The municipality also received P15,000 which was used for the construction
of their own municipal building.
Incumbent Congressman Jose R. Nuguid, however, made an
issue out of it. He even dared Pascual and other Manila-based businessmen to run against him in the next congressional race if their
intention was really to help and serve Bataan. Pascual took the
challenge and launched his political campaign in mid-1956.
The political tussle between Nuguid and Pascual was considered as one of the most expensive local elections ever held in
Bataan. In the end, Nuguid won at the polls. After the defeat, Pascual permanently concentrated on his business ventures.
Engr. Benjamin B. Pascual

A brother of Gov. Efren Pascual
once served as mayor of Orani,
board member of Bataan (19641967) and SP secretary (19731976).
Gabriel Pascual
Gabriel R. Pascual
donated P15,000 in 1954 which
was used in the construction of
the municipal building of Orion.
He also ran for Congress
-man but was defeated by
incumbent Rep.Jose R. Naguid
in the 1955 polls.
The site where MOPE Restaurant/Gift Shoppe now stands
was the place where Gabriel
Pascuals mansion once stood
131
POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES

Orion Police Personnel
Senior Insp. Joel K. Tampis
Chief of Police
SPO2 Emmanuelito C.Jaraba
Chief, DEU
SPO3 Renato M. Reyes
Chief Investigator
PO1 Natalio P. Robles
PCR,DEU,Warrant,Subpoena
PO1 Reyzan E. Bawalan
Supply Officer/Jailer
PO1 Arnel G. Alvez
HRDD/Operations
PO1 Ronalyn R. Mayuyo
Admin/WCCD
Orion Fire Station Personnel
SFO2 Christopher E. Andrade
Municipal Fire Marshall
FO3 Cipriano S. Salavaria
Deputy Fire Marshall
FO3 Eddie B. de Mesa
Nozzleman/Hoseman
FO2 Michael C. Mandreza
PSAO/Safety Inspector
FO2 Alberto L. Ramos
Driver/ Pump Operator
FO1 Roslin E. Medina
Nozzleman/Hoseman/IAS
FO1 Joel B. Pajares
Nozzleman/Investigator
F/B Rogelio Sanchez
F/B Roberto D. Febrero
POPULATION PROJECTION
The Philippine National Police in Orion has 18 police officers in

active duty and one civilian employee based within the Municipal Hall. They have two mobile jeeps and two motorcycles used
for patrolling activities. A base radio is also available at the station.
As compared to the standard ratio of 1 police officer per
1,000 residents, the existing ratio of 1,2448 in the municipality,
indicates that the town has an inadequate number of policemen.
The barangay tanods, numbering about 240, fills up the police
insufficiency.
There is a need of a private security agency in the municipality to cater to the security needs of the numerous commercial
establishments and other private enterprises in the area.
Fire protection services in Orion are being taken cared of by
seven regular firemen and two volunteers. The fire personnel are
presently stationed at St. Michael Village, Balagtas, Orion. The
fire fighting unit has two firetrucks for use in their operations.
Population
The population of Orion has grown tremendously since the first recorded
population count in 1751 with a total of 1,083 inhabitants. Since then, several census were conducted by the then National Census and Statistics
Office (now National Statistics Office) by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg.
72 authorizing the said office to conduct population census every ten
years beginning 1980 followed by the population count in 1990.
The projected population of Orion for the year 2000 is 44,067.
POPULATION
7,187
7,979
10,909
The graph below represents the computed population projections. The population rises
8,721
14,672 gradually and doubles itself, by the year 2030.
19,672
Projected Population, 2010-2080
28,049
35,263
300000
44,067
250000
53,145
200000
67,573
150000
85,917
100000
109,241
138,897
50000
176,603
0
224,546
285,504
Y ear
2080
2070
2060
2050
2040
2030
2020
2010
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
1948
1938
1918
P opul at i on
1903
YEAR
1903
1918
1939
1948
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
2050
2060
2070
2080
132
Police and fire officials of Orion
PRESIDENTE ACTUAL
Population distribution between Nearly Urbanizing Barangays and Rural Barangays of Orion
NEARLY URBANIZING BARANGAYS

BARANGAYS
RURAL BARANGAYS
TOTAL POPL'N
NUMBER OF HH'S
714
1,431
1,560
1,070
1,145
2,484
1,533
1,709
1,281
1,605
950
1,752
17,234
44,067
150
280
322
221
225
500
296
323
254
320
195
329
3,415
8,735
Arellano
Bagumbayan
Balagtas
Balut
Daang Bago
Daang Bilolo
Lati
Lusungan
San Vicente
Villa Angeles
Wakas
Wawa
SUBTOTALS
TOTAL (Orion)
BARANGAY
Bantan
Bilolo
Calungusan
Camachile
Daang Pare
General Lim
Kapunitan
P. Buhangin
Sabatan
Sto. Domingo
Sta. Elena
TOTALS
TOTAL POPL'N
NUMBER OF HH'S
1,490
3,936
1,156
1,466
3,593
2,301
3,900
2,217
2,583
3,063
1,128
299
755
237
297
732
475
730
442
516
606
231
26,833
5,320
Source: Orion Municipal Hall
Presidente Actual
PRESIDENTE ACTUAL was the formal title of the municipal
mayor starting in 1901. It replaced the old name kapitan municipal
as mandated on a Presidential Decree issued by General Emilio
Aguinaldo on June 18, 1898. It was the time when local government units were re-organized in the provinces already freed from
Spanish control.
Bataan, which was freed in May 1898, followed Aguinaldos
directives but elected officials continued to use the title kapitan
municipal until the early part of 1901.
Aguinaldos decree also mandated that all town chiefs and three
delegates (councilors) were to be elected directly by the people.
The Presidente Actual headed the four-man municipal assembly.
The elected councilors were given specific portfolios to handle:
(1) police and internal order; (2) justice and civil registry; and (3)
taxes and property.
In addition to the four elected officials, the municipal assembly
was also composed of the Vice-Presidente Actual or vice-mayor.
The elected cabeza de barangay of the poblacion or town proper
automatically became the vice mayor.
The councilor assigned to be the delegate for justice and civil
registry also acted as municipal secretary.
Starting in 1901, the title Presidente Actual was used by 13 individuals who administered the affairs of Orion until 1934.
Vicente Rodriguez was Orions first Presidente Actual. Jose Baltazar (1931-1934) was the last Presidente Actual.
As mandated in the 1935 Constitution, Presidente Actual was
replaced by the titles Municipal President and Mayor. Valeriano
Soriano, the succeeding mayor from 1934 to 1937, was the first to
use the title mayor.
Orions Presidente Actual

1. V i c e n t e R o d r i g u e z
(1901-1903)
2. Luis Baltazar
(1903-1905)
3. S i m e o n R o d r i g u e z
(2 terms)
4. Mariano Angeles
(2 terms)
5. Francisco Calimbas
(1912-1914)
6. F r a n c i s c o U r q u i s a
(1914-1916)
7. Donato Calimbas
(1916-1918)
8. Aproniano Tiambeng
(1918-1919)
9. S i m e o n R o d r i g u e z
(1919-1921)
10. Perfecto Evangelista
(1921-1923)
11. Fausto Paguio
(1923-1925)
12. Manuel R. Santos
(two terms)
13. Jose Baltazar
(1931-1934)
133
PUTING BUHANGIN
MAP OF ORION
Puting Buhangin
Puting Buhangin
Barangayhood: Mar. 23, 1964
Fiesta: May 13
Patron: Fatima
River: -noneSchool: Puting Buhangin Elem.
School
Places of Interest:
Port Capinpin
Pulong Bato Beach Resort
Villa Eden, Joriz Farm
Delfin C. Reodique
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Rolando C. dela Cruz
Nilo I. Bagtas
Luzviminda M. Dy Jongco
Jose S. Ilagan
Conrado L. Matias
Romeo P. Bautista
Leonora S. Hatol
Vanessa R. Paguio (SK)
Banito Labandillo
Gregorio Dy Jongco
Edilberto Paguio
Diego Tangonan
Primitivo Labandillo
Fausto Agustin
Alberto de Lara
Benjamin Agustin
From left to right,

entrance to Orion port;
barangay chapel
134
Interior of Puting Buhangin
PUTING BUHANGIN is the southernmost barangay of Orion. It

shares boundary with Limay town. It is bounded on the north by
Barangay Sta. Elena, on the east by Manila Bay, and on the west by
Mariveles Mountain.
The barangay has a total land area of 319.69 hectares and inhabited by 2,217 people. Puting Buhangin was originally known as
Barrio Pulong Bato. However, the name was changed to Barrio
Puting Buhangin on November 18, 1949. Although it has been in
existence as a barrio even before the advent of World War II, it was
only recognized as a regular barangay on March 23, 1964, together
with Calungusan.
The former sleepy coastal barangay of Puting Buhangin became
one of the most popular barangays in Bataan after President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the construction of the Port General Tomas
Capinpin in the area in March 1967. The seaport was used as the
docking and loading area of the Manila-Bataan Hydrofoil Ferry Service which actually started its operation in 1964. The port expanded
through the years. In the late 1990s, a P300 million Ro-Ro facility
was constructed at Port Capinpin. It was inaugurated in 2003.
In addition to the hydrofoil service, Puting Buhangin also became a tourist spot after the Pulong Bato Beach Resort opened in
1966.
The hydrofoil company has been replaced by another ferry service, called the Mount Samat Ferry which is a 180-capacity passenger vessel. It provides six trips daily to Manila and back. It provides
6 daily trips to and from Manila.
PUTING BUHANGIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PUTING BUHANGIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL opened as a
primary school in 1958. Combination classes for Grades I and II
were held initially inside the barangay chapel. Children who
wanted to finish Grades III and IV had to walk to Daan Pare or
enroll at the Orion Elementary School to complete their elementary education.
In 1965, former Mayor Ricardo T. Angeles ordered the construction of the initial two-classroom building on its present site
after the Dy Jongco family of Puting Buhangin donated a lot for
school use. Grades I-II held classes in the morning while grades
III-IV had them in the afternoon due to lack of classrooms. The
pioneer teachers were Teresita de Guzman, Gavina Clavel,
Emma Rodriguez, Belen Buenaventura, Francisca Perona, JuPupils of Puting Buhangin
lieta Mariano, Peregrina Gacutan. When it was transformed into
a complete elementary school in 1970s, Mrs. Marina B. Santos
Past School Administrators:
became its first principal.
Marina Santos
1970-1976
Candelaria Mariano
Josefina Merquiado
Daniel Patungan
Danilo Santos
Filomena Buhain
Rosario Redulla
Arsenia Bundalian
Carmen Ramos
VERONICA CRUZ
Former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique took advantage of the

Japan-Philippines Reparation Program during the Marcos administration (1965-1972) and brought home several Marcos
Type Pre-fabricated school buildings. These were distributed in
different barangays in Orion. Puting Buhangin received six new
classrooms.
For the School Year 2006-2007, the school has nine regular
teachers attending to the needs of 350 pupils. Mrs. Veronica
Cruz is the current school principal.
1976-1978
1978-1980
1980-1983
1983-1989
1989-1994
1994-1997
1997-2001
2001-2002
2002present
First batch of graduates, Puting Buhangin Elementary School
FIRST SCHOOL. Puting Buhangin had a primary school as

early as 1958. It was former
mayor Ricardo T. Angeles (1963
-1967) who ordered the construction of the initial twoclassroom building in an area
donated by the Dy Jongco family
of Puting Buhangin.
135
QUEZON HIGHWAY
Qq
Quezon Highway in Orion
The Orion portion of the Quezon

Highway, starting from Bantan to
Puting Buhangin, measures about
seven kilometers.
Gregorio R. Quicho
Governor, 1926-1929
1929-1931
Gregorio R. Quicho
was married to Margarita Bernardo
of Marikina, Rizal. He had eight
children: Jose (Orion vice mayor,
1959-1963), Se-lerina, Sergio, Potenciana, Rosa, Marcelo, Felicisima
and Natividad (wife of former Palawan Governor Socrates).
136
Quezon Highway
QUEZON HIGHWAY was the old name given to the Bataan National Road, the major highway traversing from San Jose
(Dinalupihan) to Lamao (Limay). It was named after Manuel L.
Quezon who spent some time in Bataan as a revolutionary officer
before he became the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth (1935-1944).
The Bataan Provincial Council approved the said name through
a resolution passed in August 1950.
Based on records of the Bureau of Public Highways, however,
the original name of the highway was Route 304. The two-lane, 44
-kilometer long highway actually started from San Jose, Dinalupihan (not Layac) and ended up in Lamao, Limay. When the Lamao
- Mariveles Road was completed in 1947, it automatically became
part of Route 304. Before the road was completed, residents of
Limay used the sea route (Manila Bay) to get to Mariveles and
vice versa.
The common belief that the Bataan National Road was part of
the MacArthur Highway was inaccurate. MacArthur Highway,
also known as Route 3, only covered the long stretch from Caloocan City (starting at the north end of Highway 54, now EDSA)
down to San Fernando, Pampanga, passing through Bulacan. The
expanse from Pampanga to Layac, Dinalupihan and onward to
Olongapo City, on the other hand, was called Route 7.
The name MacArthur Highway was only used during the Japanese Occupation (1941-1942) to aid the Filipino and American
soldiers in finding their way to Bataan. Routes 3, 7 and 304 were
combined together and temporarily called MacArthur Highway
starting in December 1941.
QUICHO, Gregorio R.
GREGORIO DEL ROSARIO QUICHO (1885-1975) was the
11th governor of Bataan. He served for two consecutive terms,
from 1926-1929 to 1929-1931. He is acknowledged as the first
and only native of Orion to become governor of Bataan since
1901.
Governor Quicho was born in Lati, Orion on December 15,
1885. His parents were Marcelo Quicho and Joaquina del
Rosario. He studied Law at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He
and classmate Claro M. Recto took the Bar examinations together
but both failed in their attempts to become full-fledged lawyers.
Recto took another examination the following year and topped
the Bar. Quicho, in the other hand, failed to take the Bar for he
was already employed as provincial sheriff in Palawan.
In 1925, he was persuaded to run for governor of Bataan by
Congressman Antonio G. Llamas, another classmate at Letran. At
that time, Llamas was seeking re-election against Don Manuel
Banzon Sr. of Balanga. Quicho won over incumbent Governor
Manuel Aguinaldo of Pilar. Llamas, however, lost to Banzon.
QUICHO, JOSE B.
As governor, Quicho fought for the retention of Cubi Point as
part of Bataan even after it was utilized as a military seaport of
the United States Navy. The area represents 80 percent of the present Subic Freeport. Had he allowed it, Cubi Point would have
automatically been merged to Zambales or Olongapo City. For
this stand, he was easily re-elected governor in 1929. It was also
during his term that the farmers of Dinalupihan held violent protests against the Pampanga Sugar Mill.The mill owners wanted to
lay down railroad tracks over the lands owned by small inquilinos
in the Tucop and Pagalanggang area to enable them to bring the
harvested sugar cane to their mill in Floridablanca. The governor
was able to prevent further violence in the area.
His third attempt in politics was not successful. He lost to Sabino de Leon of Pilar, a former chief of police of Quezon City and
a protegee of Don Manuel Banzon Sr. After the defeat, Quicho
returned to Palawan where he and his family settled permanently.
He continued working as provincial sheriff. He died in Puerto
Princesa on September 9, 1975 at age 90.
QUICHO, Jose B.
DR. JOSE BERNARDO QUICHO (1914 -1978) was the first
dentist to be elected as vice mayor of Orion. He served from
1959 to 1963, during the last term of Mayor Manuel R. Santos
Sr.
Dr. Quicho was born in Wawa, Orion on March 14, 1914. He
was the eldest child of former Bataan Governor Gregorio R.
Quicho (1926-1929, 1929-1931) and Margarita Bernardo of Marikina, Rizal. He finished his Dentistry course from the Manila
Central University in 1941 and immediately put up a private
clinic in Orion.
During the 1955 local elections, re-electionist Mayor Manuel
R. Santos Sr. persuaded Dr. Quicho to join his political team as a
councilor candidate. The dentist easily made it to the winners
list but Mayor Santos lost to Alberto Cristobal of Daan Bago.
After four years, Santos launched another political campaign
for the mayoralty post. He chose Dr. Quicho to be his runningmate because of the latters good performance as a councilor.
The poll results favored the Santos-Quicho team against the Alberto Cristobal-Celerino Reyes tandem. Incumbent Vice Mayor
Andres Buenaventura did not seek re-election and ultimately was
picked out by Mayor Santos as council secretary from 19591963.
During his term, Dr. Quicho donated the 1,893 square meter
lot used as site of the Gen. Lim Elementary School. He returned
to his private practice when his term ended in 1963. He passed
away on Sept. 7, 1978.
Dr. Quicho was married to Resurreccion Pereyra with whom
he had eight children: Antonio, Antero (Terry), Efren, Josefino,
Margarita (Waje), Carol, Marcelo and Joselito.
Cubi Point
represents 80 percent of the total
area of Subic Naval Base, now
known as Subic Bay Metropolitan
Area (SMBA)
Cubi Point
Dr. Jose B. Quicho

Dr. Jose B. Quicho

the oldest child of former Governor Gregorio R. Quicho, was
married to Resurreccion Pereyra. The couple had eight children: Antonio, Antero, Efren,
Josefino, Margarita, Carol,
Marcelo and Joselito.
137
QUICHO, QUIRINO
Quirino Quicho
Vice Mayor, 1945-1946,1952-1955
1986-1987,1987-1988
Councilor, 1942-1945,1947-1951
Quirino Quicho returned to the

municipal hall for the third time
as a result of the EDSA Revolution. He and Alfredo Pangilinan
were appointed as OIC Vice
Mayor and OIC Mayor, respectively, as replacements of the
former Mayor Gabriel Manrique
and Vice Mayor Antonio
Mariano. He remained in his
position and served under new
OIC Mayor Jose Lim after
Pangilinan relinquished his post
and ran for mayor during the
1988 local polls.Quicho retired
from active politics in 1988.
Rr
Antonio Raymundo Sr.
138
QUICHO, Quirino
QUIRINO QUICHO (
-1988) served as a local government
official for nearly 40 years. He was Orions vice mayor under
four mayors (1945-1946, 1952-1955, 1976-1987, and 19871988).
Quicho was a resident of Daan Bilolo. He worked as farmer
during his teen years and was not able to finish high school. He
was married to Cresencia Pangilinan, a meat vendor. Their children were Liwayway, Mariquita, Lamberto, Quirino Jr., Ursulo
and Teresita.
He was an appointed town councilor of Orion during the war
years (1942-1945), together with Mayor Arsenio Joco. He was
chosen to be the acting vice-mayor of Orion by the appointed
mayor, Atty. Emiliano Navarro, when local government units
were re-established after the Liberation. Their one-year term was
spent entirely in administering relief goods coming from the
Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.
They were relieved of their duties in July 1946 and replaced
by new appointees, Agustin L. Angeles and Pedro Pangilinan, on
orders of Governor Joaquin J. Linao.
Quicho returned to the political arena in 1947. He won as
councilor, together with Mayor Agustin L. Angeles. In 1951, he
ran for vice mayor together with Manuel R. Santos Sr. and both
of them won. His re-election bid in 1955 was not successful. He
lost to Andres Buenaventura, runningmate of Alberto Cristobal.
He died on March 8, 1988.
RAYMUNDO, Antonio J.
ANTONIO JUANILLO RAYMUNDO (1923-____) is the father
of Orion current mayor, Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. In 1986, he
served as municipal councilor of Orion after declining the position of OIC vice mayor in place of his son, Antonio Jr. who was
chosen to take the place of incumbent Dr. Antonio H. Mariano.
Antonio Jr., at the time of his appointment was employed in Japan.
Antonio Sr., born on March 19, 1923, worked as a radio operator technician in Manila before getting involved in big-time fishing, farming and piggery industry in Orion. He was never involved in politics until he was asked to replace his son who was
designated OIC-vice mayor of Orion in 1986. He declined the
position and offered it to Quirino Quicho. Thereafter, he chose to
serve as municipal councilor instead from 1986 to 1988. He ran
for the same position in 1988 and won. He served until 1992.
Raymundo is married to Belen Lazaro with whom he has nine
children: Tomas, Dulce, Eugenia, Dionisio, Antonio Jr., Carmen,
Lilibeth, Danilo and Catherine.
RAYMUNDO, ANTONIO Jr. L.

ANTONIO LAZARO RAYMUNDO JR. (1956- ) is the current
mayor of Orion (2004 to present). He was first elected to the same
position in 2001. He is the 29th municipal mayor since 1901.
Prior to this, he also served as vice mayor of Orion from 1995 to
1998.
Mayor Raymundo is a native of Wawa, Orion. He was born on
August 8, 1956 to parents Antonio J. Raymundo Sr. and Belen
Alarcon Lazaro. He finished his elementary education at Orion
Elementary School (1968) and his secondary education at Jose
Rizal Institute-Orion (1972). He was a product of the former
Bataan National School of Arts and Trades in Balanga City where
he finished a vocational course in Machine Shop Technology.
Armed with the basic knowledge, Raymundo was employed at
DND Arsenal in Lamao, Limay but it was only a short stint at the
countrys premier ammunition manufacturing plant. In less than a
year, he resigned from his job and managed the familys fishing

Mayor 2001-2004, 2004-2007

Date of Birth: Aug. 8, 1956
Place of Birth: Wawa, Orion
Parents: Antonio Raymundo Sr.
Belen A. Lazaro
Education: Machine Shop Tech.
BNSAT, Balanga,
Bataan
Married to: Lilia Rasco
Children: Mervin Paulo
Antonio III
Marygrace
business (basnig). In time, he earned recognition as a successful

basnig operator and one of the prime movers of the so-called
Bloke ng Tabing-ilog.
After the fall of the Marcos regime, Raymundos name was
immediately included in the list of prospective individuals who
will replace the incumbent local government officials of Orion. He
was already in Japan in 1986, working as a CNC machine shop
operator, when his appointment was approved by President Corazon Aquino. In his absence, it was his father Antonio J. Raymundo
Sr. who served as OIC-Councilor of Orion although his initial appointment was as OIC-vice mayor.
Raymundo was still working in Japan when the holding of the
1988 local elections was announced. Although he and Manuel C.
Santos Jr. have already agreed to run as runningmates against expected rival, former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique (who incidentally
died on September 5, 1986), Santos was left with no choice but
choose another runningmate. Santos won at the polls but it was
Teodoro T. Catalan, runningmate of Dr. Antonio Mariano, who
triumphed as vice mayor.
During the 1995 elections, it was Raymundos father who ran
for the vice mayoralty position together with re-electionist
Mayor Manuel C. Santos Jr. Both of them (Santos and Raymundo)...
Barangay road in Daan Pare
Back to back stage in Calungusan
139
The new road connecting the

barangay to a housing project in
upland Bilolo
Accomplishments
- Steel gate of Orion market
- Repair of municipal hall
- Camachile open canal
- Arellano steel gratings
- Wawa street light
- Fencing of Bilolo basketball
court
- Shallow well, Bantan
- Steel gratings of San Vicente
- Open canal in Sta. Elena
- Open canal in Lusungan
- Open Canal in Puting Buhangin
- Perimeter fence, Balagtas
- Steel gratings, Bagumbayan
- SB hall improvement
- Open canal in Capunitan
- Shallow well, Daan Pare
- Open canal with culvert, Gen.
Lim
- Open canal with gratings,
Bantan
- Deep well, Upper Bilolo
- Concreting, Capunitan bridge
- breakwater repair/toilet, San
Vicente
- Open Canal, Daan Pare 2005
- Irrigation canal, Daan Pare
- FMR, Sabatan
- Barangay hall annex, Lati
- Repair of barangay roads
- Purchase of drugs for indigents
- Deep well, Daan Pare, Bilolo
- Shallow well in barangays
- Repair, municipal building
- Drug abuse prevention
- Palarong Pang-Udyong
- Rehab of historical markers
- Financial support to MAFC
- Plant nursery financial support
- Fishery development support
- Support to cooperatives
- Repair, Treasurers Office
- Construction of municipal building
extension
140
....lost to the tandem of Dr. Antonio Mariano and Erlinda

Guzman.
Raymundos formal entry into the political scene came in
1995. He ran for vice mayor, together with Manuel Santos Jr.
Both of them won and served until 1998. Santos and Raymundo
parted ways sometime during their term. And as expected, the
former partymates met head-on during the 1998 local elections.
After the counting of votes, it was Santos who emerged as winner over Raymundo.
The political rivalry continued as Santos and Raymundo squared
off for the second time during the 2001 elections. Despite the political machineries available to Mayor Santos, Raymundo scored a win
by a margin of 1,237 votes.
Raymundos initial three-year term as mayor, however, was
marked with challenges. For one, the municipal council was led
by Dr. Rolando Banzon, partymate of Santos. Raymundo had
difficult times having his programs approved or given appropriate funds by the Sangguniang Bayan.
The biggest test to Raymundos leadership came on May 7,
2003, exactly three days before the celebration of the annual
Orion fiesta. Raymundo was most surprised to receive a 60-day
suspension order signed by former Governor Leonardo B. Roman after it was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The order stemmed from complaints against Raymundo involving alleged abuse of authority as mayor of Orion.
Knowing that the suspension was politically motivated and
purely an attempt by his political enemies to render him powerless during his term, Raymundo stood his ground and defied the
order. Supporters came to his rescue and protested against the
suspension. They even blockaded the municipal building to keep
him in his post. The order was never implemented and Raymundo remained in office until his term ended in 2004.
Former Mayor Santos attempted another comeback in 2004.
Mayor Raymundo was prepared for their third encounter. The
result was overwhelming. Raymundo recieved a total of 12,992
votes as against Santos 11,251.

For the past five years since 2001, people see Mayor Raymundo as a hardworking and dedicated leader who endeared
himself to the hearts of the residents through sincere and genuine
service to his constituents.
The mayor is involved in the realization of the P35 million
Diosdado Macapagal Cruise Terminal in Puting Buhangin,
Orion, a project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Sta. Elena barangay hall
Left photo: concreting of road in

Site, Bilolo being implemented by
Mayor Raymundo Jr.
Fountain-project of the Municipal

Tourism Council
LILIA RASCO-RAYMUNDO is the hardworking and dedicated

better half of incumbent Orion Mayor Antonio L. Raymundo Jr.
She has been behind the success of her spouse since 2001.
Mrs. Raymundo was born on July 27, 1959 in Labo, Camarines Norte. Her parents were Jose Rasco and Eulalia Bayani. She
completed a Secretarial Course from the Mabini Colleges in
Daet, Camarines Norte and was on her third year in Commerce
when she met and finally became the spouse of Mayor Raymundo
who at that time was a simple basnig operator. The Raymundo
couple has three children: Mervin Paulo (computer engineer); Lilia Rasco Raymundo
Antonio III (aviation graduate); and Marygrace (nursing student).
Lilia has launched several medical and dental missions in
various parts of the town. She spearheaded the Clean and Green
programs and various tourism projects in Orion. Her annual
Lakambini ng Udyong project which was launched in 2001
continues to provide funds for her other worthwhile projects in
Orion. Through the Lakambini project, Mrs. Raymundo was able
to procure an ambulance which continues to help many local residents. Her latest project is the beautification of Orion town plaza. Raymundo Family
141
RAYMUNDO, KERBY
Kerby Raymundo
Kerby Raymundo
is married to Christina Tan of
Las Pias, Manila with whom
he has two children: Kiven Garnett and King Gabriel.
Kerby Raymundo
is Purefoods leading scorer
and rebounder.
Letrans first Knight
Two NCAA champion ring
MVP, NCAA
Mythical Five, PBL
Amateur Player of the Year
1999-2000
PBA MVP Finals, 2002
PBA Mythical Selection, 2002
PBA Mythical Fire, 2006
Member, Philippine Team
Top photo, Kerby is the leading

player and rebounder of Purefoods,
a PBA team.; Right photo,
Kerby with parents, friends and
teammates.
142
KERBY RAYMUNDO (1980- ) is Orions major contribution

to the world of sports. He is currently one of the stalwarts in the
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Raymundo, standing 6 feet and 6 inches tall and weighing
215 pounds, is the son of Roberto Raymundo (of Mindoro) and
Dolores Raymundo of Camachile, Orion. He was born on January 20, 1980 and graduated from the Orion Elementary School
and Jose Rizal Institute-Orion for his secondary education. He
started carving a name in basketball when he played for Bataan
during the 1997 Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association
CLRAA) regional sports tournament. The Bataan team eventually emerged as the basketball champion that year.
He immediately played for San Juan de Letran College in the
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) during his
first year. He was unanimously picked as the rookie of the
year because of his outstanding performance in court. Letran
won two NCAA championship seasons while Raymundo was
playing for the team.
Raymundo also became a member of the national team which
saw action in the 20th Southeast Asian Games in Brunei. In 1999,
he garnered the Most Valuable Player award in the NCAA
senior division and was picked as member of the Mythical
Five in addition to giving Letran the NCAA basketball crown
that year.
Raymundo joined the PBA in 2002. In his initial year as a
professional basketball player, he piloted the Red Bulls to the
2002 basketball championship. He was chosen as the MVP Finals 2002 and member of the Mythical Five
In 2004, Kerby started wearing jersey No. 21 of the Purefoods Chunkie Giants which also won the PBA championship
that year. The Chunkies again emerged as champion team in
2006 against the Red Bulls. He was picked out as the Final
Games outstanding player and is a member of RP team that will
represent the country in international competitions.
RIVERS
RIVERA, Agapito
Agapito Rivera of San Vicente, was the 15th mayor of Orion
(1937-1940). He defeated Mayor Valeriano American Boy
Soriano in the 1937 poll. Mang Pito as he was known and his
vice-mayor Estanislao Cuevas sought re-election in 1941. Rivera
lost his bid to Arsenio Joco but Cuevas retained his post.
Mayor Rivera and his wife Eusebia Angeles had seven offsprings, Fidela (nurse), Cresencia (ETC-teacher, married Juan
Tiambeng-son of Mayor Aproniano Tiambeng), Consuelo, Florencio (Chief of Police), Vicente (military man), Venerando and
clarita. He died in his 80s.
Rivers
Agapito Rivera
Mayor, 1937-1940
WATER TRIBUTARIES
Baranga ys Calungusan,
Camachile, Sto. Domingo,
Balagtas, San Vicente, Arellano
and Bagumbayan have their
respective minor water tributaries.
Besides agriculture, people
derive livelihood from
rivers
filled with various freshwater
fish.
San Vicente River
There are four major rivers in Orion: Pita River, San Vicente
River, Lucong River and Pandam River. All these rivers well
from the Mariveles Mountain Watershed, run through the length
and width of Orion and end up in Manila Bay. These rivers also
branch out to smaller creeks which supply the agricultural water
needs of the municipality.
The Pita River originates from the southern slope of Mount
Samat before it merges near the General Lim (Kaput) area with a
minor tributary coming from the Catmon area. The merged river
runs southward and then joins the San Vicente River in the vicinity of Daan Bilolo. From Daan Bilolo, the river drains into
Manila Bay.
The San Vicente River also originates from the slopes of
Mariveles Mountain. It runs through Barangay Bilolo before
merging with Pita River.
The Lucong River wells from the headwater source of Mariveles Mountain and runs through Barangays Sabatan, Wakas and
Capunitan before draining into Manila Bay.
The Pandam River is the fourth major river in Orion. It runs
through Daan Pare and Wakas on its way to Manila Bay.
Pandam River
Calungusan River
143
ROADS AND BRIDGES
Bataan National Road
As of 2004, Orion has a total road length of 69.837 kilometers

of which 13.650 kilometers are national road; 17.449 kilometers
are provincial road; 31.248 kilometers are municipal roads;
2.071 kilometers are barangay roads; 4.459 kilometers are subdivision roads and .96 kilometer are port roads.
Of the total length, about 73.29 percent are concreted while
3.88 percent are asphalted and the remaining 22.83 percent are
graveled or unpaved roads.
The two arterial roads traversing Orion are the Roman Expressway and the Bataan National Road.
Meanwhile, there are 10 road bridges that connect barangays
and sitios of Orion. Bantam Bridge, Calungusan Bridge, Sto. Domingo Bridge, Baa Bridge, Orion Bridge (Tulay Bato), Capunitan
Bridge, Pandam Bridge, San Vicente Bridge, Capot Bridge and
Pandam Bridge. Eight of these bridges are made of reinforced
Panganiban Street
Orion Roads
are mostly concreted (74 percent) and have a total length of
68.98 kilometers. Ten road
bridges connect the barangays
and sitios of Orion.
Orion Bridge
Baa Bridge
Sto. Domingo Bridge
Pandam Bridge
Daan Bilolo Road (G. Manrique

Street)
Eight Footbridges
Tulay Camachile, Tulay Gitna
(near St. Michael Hospital), Tulay Baraka (Lati-Bagumbayan),
Lambingan Bridge (WawaBagumbayan), Tulay Balut, Tulay Capunitan, Tulay Tabon,
Tulay Sabatan.
144
concrete while two are concrete-piped. These bridges have a total span of 161.50 meters, all classified as national bridges. All
of these bridges are in good condition and passable for all types
of vehicles.
Eight footbridges are situated in some barangays. These are
made of reinforced concrete. Some of them need repair and rehabilitation since these are already worn-out after years of use.
RODRIGUEZ, SIMEON P.
SIMEON P. RODRIGUEZ (1877-1949) was the third and ninth mayor
of Orion. He served from 1905-1907, 1907-1909, 1919-1921. His third
term, from 1919 to 1921, was merely coincidental after he was appointed as mayor of Orion and Pilar which were merged into one town
during the period. Late in his political career, he was also elected vice
mayor of Orion from 1928-1931.
Rodriguez was born in Bantan Grande, Orion, in 1877. Some relatives, however, claimed that he was born in the former Poblacion. He
was the son of an unnamed Spanish gentleman and a Filipina from
Orion. He had very little education even though his parents were considered rich landowners in Orion. At the start of the American colonization of the Philippines, Rodriguez joined the Philippine Revolution
against the Americans. He was a second lieutenant during the FilipinoAmerican hostilities. Exactly a year after the capture of General Emilio
Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela on March 23, 1901, Rodriguez surrendered to Governor John Gouldman and took his oath of allegiance to
the United States.
He ran for vice mayor of Orion in 1903 after Governor John Gouldman announced the holding of the first local elections early that year.
He and mayoralty candidate Luis Baltazar won the election by acclamation.
He finally ran for the top municipal position of Orion in 1905. It was
an easy victory for Rodriguez as Luis Baltazar, the incumbent mayor,
gave way and did not seek re-election. His runningmate, Francisco
Urquisa also won as vice mayor. Both of them were re-elected in 1907.
After transferring his residence from Bantan to Wakas (Pilar), Rodriguez supported the successful candidacy of Mariano Angeles in 1909.
In 1919, Rodriguez made history when he served as municipal
mayor of Orion and Pilar at the same time. It was the year when the two
towns were placed under military control as ordered by acting Governor
Pedro Rich. It resulted from the tragic death of former Governor Conrado Lerma of Pilar who was shot to death inside the Capitol building
by Jose Baluyut of Orion. To prevent bloodshed from the warring residents of the two towns, Governor Rich appointed former Orion Mayor
Rodriguez as mayor of the two towns. Rodriguez replaced Pilar Mayor
Leandro Aguinaldo and Orion Mayor Aproniano Tiambeng. Rodriguez
ruled over the two towns for more than two years (1919-1921). With
the help of the military, Rodriguez was able to pacify the residents of
the two towns while the Lerma-Baluyot murder case was being heard in
court.
In 1928, Rodriguez was persuaded to run for vice mayor of Orion together with re-electionist Mayor Manuel R. Santos. Both of them won.
As mayor of Pilar, Rodriguez was credited for establishing the first
classrooms of the public primary school in Pilar, known today as Pilar
Elementary School.
He also donated a piece of land in Barangay Bagumbayan which
was converted into a municipal burial ground, now known as the Pilar
Public Cemetery where his remains were laid to rest on April 9, 1949.
Simeon P. Rodriguez
Mayor, 1905-1907
1907-1902
1919-1921
Simeon P. Rodriguez
was married to Martina Pizarro.
They had five children: Pedro,
Domingo, Alfonso, Rosita and
Macario.
- - - - - - Simeon P. Rodriguez should
not be mistaken for Simeon G.
Rodriguez, a former newspaperman and HUK Politburo leader
who was arrested by police authorities in 1964.
Merged Towns
Pilar and Orion were merged
into one town from 1919-1921
under one mayor, Simeon Rodriguez. It resulted from the killing
of Governor Conrado Lerma of
Pilar by Jose Baluyut of Orion.
145
ROMAN EXPRESSWAY
Red line on the map of Bataan shows

the Roman Expressway
Roman Expressway
Length: Phase I - 24 kilometers
(Hermosa-Pilar)
Phase II - 24 kilometers
(Pilar-Mariveles)
Width: 30 meters minimum
No. of Bridges: 16
Designer: Department of Public
Highways
Contractors: CDCP
Monark International
Total Cost: P164,000,000.00
Year Started: 1973
Date Completed: July 16,1977
Roman Expressway, Bilolo
Merged highway, Sta. Elena
146
The ROMAN EXPRESSWAY is one of the two major roads

traversing the length of Bataan. It was built as a major transport
facility for the first free trade zone in the country, the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) in Mariveles town. It is a 48kilometer long highway starting from Culis, Hermosa to Alasasin, Mariveles, just before reaching the Mariveles zigzag area.
The first class highway has a width of 30 meters although
some portions measured up to 60 meters maximum. Phase One
of the total project started from Hermosa and ended in Alauli
Junction in Pilar. It measured 24 kilometers, and include 14 steel
and concrete bridges. Phase Two also measured 24 kilometers
but with only 12 bridges. Its construction started on April 7,
l973, well within the Martial Law period. It was completed on
July 16, 1977.
Two well-known construction companies completed the said
project: Construction Development Corporation of the Philippines (CDCP) owned by Rodolfo Cuenca, a Marcos crony; and
Monark International, owned by a Bataan native, Onofre Banzon.
CDCP accomplished its task in three years and three months.
Phase Two was completed in two years and 11 months.
The Department of Public Highways- Manila designed and
supervised the construction of the P164 million project. Phase
One costs P86 million, while P78 million was spent for Phase
Two.
The total amount includes the payment for the right-of-way of
former agricultural lands utilized for the project. But some Monark officials said some of the farmlots were donated by the owners.
The major thoroughfare was named Roman Expressway in
honor of Don Pablo Roman, former congressman of Bataan. He
is considered the father of the export processing zone in Mariveles which is presently known as the Bataan Economic Zone. Rehabilitation of the said highway is a continuing program specially after being used by motorists for nearly 30 years.
Incidentally, about six kilometers of the expressway pass
through Orion. See also QUEZON HIGHWAY.
SABATAN
SABATAN is one of the so-called upland barangays of Orion. It
was established as a regular barangay on March 24, 1972. The
municipal resolution calling for its conversion from a sitio to a
barrio was approved by the Orion Municipal Council as early as
March 1966 but it took six years before Sabatans creation as a
barangay was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Ss
MAP OF ORION
Sabatan, originally called Bilolo Dos, is bounded in the north

and west by Bilolo, in the south by Daan Pare, and in the east by
Wakas. Lower Sabatan is the area situated on the eastern side of
the Roman Expressway.
The barangay is partly an upland community. It is accessible
via the Daan Bilolo Road (Gabby Manrique Street) and the Roman Expressway. The barangay has a total land area of 343.76
hectares. The original barangay was the so-called Looban Sabatan. It is said that the name was derived from the word sabatan, which meant place of encounter. Records have it that
rebel leader Victor Baltazar used the place as an alternative ambush area against Spanish troops returning from Limay in May
1898. The successful ambush led to the liberation of Orion from
Spanish domination. An area in Lower Sabatan was used as the
burial ground of the unknown rebel-veterans of Orion who died
during the encounter. It was called Villa Panteon.
As of 2006, the barangay has a population of 2,537 people.
Hut made in Sabatan, Orion
Sabatan
Sabatan
Area: 343.76 has.
Barangayhood: Mar. 24, 1972
Fiesta: October 4
Patron: St. Francis of Assisi
River: Lucong River
School: Sabatan ES
Places of Interest;
Kings Garden Childrens
Home, Veterans Cemetery
Cezario L. Santiago
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Jesus S. Viernes
Rosana R. Nicomedez
Ruben P. Hernandez
Gloria S. Curatchia
Orlando T. Malit
Reynato Q. Baluyot
Julio P. Viernes
Ricardo Buado (SK)
Rosauro Isidro 1974-1986
Basilio Malana 1986-1990
Ricardo Isidro
1994-1997
1997-2002
Ernesto Viernes 1990-1994
2002-2004
147
SABATAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

In 1950s, Looban Sabatan (the original Sabatan) was part of
Former School Administrators:
Bilolo. It was also called Villa Panteon since the major portion
Andres Simeon
Adoracion Quicho
of the populated area was part of the cemetery.
Carolina Baluyot
It was only in 1968 that Sabatan residents saw the need for a
Josefina Merquiado
1981-1993
public school in their area to take care of the educational needs
Ms. Fe Angeles
1993-1996
Arsenia Bundalian
1996-1998
of the growing population of children. But the actual realization
Teresita Ordiales
1998-2000
of such dream took some time.
Gilda Tiglao
2000-2001
SABATAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was only established
Arsenia Bundalian
2002-2003
in 1980, just in front of the Veterans Cemetery. It opened as a
ROSARIO REDULLA (present)
primary learning center offering classes from Grades I to Grade
III. The combined classes were placed under the guidance of the
two original teachers, Angelina A. Pantig and Belen D. de Leon.
It was former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique who started and
completed the barangay school during the School Year 19811982.
The present school consists of 12 classrooms. Rosario G. Redulla is the school principal. She is being assisted by 12 teachers
and two non-teaching staff.
For the School Year 2005-2006, the school had a population
of
502
pupils. Ten years earlier (1995-1996), the enrollment was
The teaching force of Sabatan led
by Rosario Redulla, principal
pegged at 311.
Sabatans Teaching Staff
Marj Bautista
Acelyn Aparilla
Sherly Esteban
Lolita Antonio
Nancy Yarra
Richelle Perez
Malou Enriquez
Grace dela Pea
Rosario Calderon
Eloisa Cuevas
Evelyn Manalo
Ric La Torre
Erlinda Santos
Ignalyn Sabino
Pupils of Sabatan
Elementary School
148
Sabatan Elementary School
SAN VICENTE
The main road of San Vicente
San Vicente
MAP OF ORION
SAN VICENTE is the seat of the municipal government of

Orion. The barangay derived its name from San Vicente Ferrer,
one of the prominent patron saints belonging to the Dominican
Order.
The barangay, acknowledged as the center of the old Poblacion, was founded sometime in 1667, the year when Orion was
established as a regular town. The present San Vicente was not
the center of Orion during the early times. In 1667, the first
chapel of St. Michael Archangel was erected in the old Tutuban
area, near the Sto. Domingo River. It was only after the death of
Fr. Domingo Perez, the first parish priest of Orion, that a new
church made of bricks was constructed at its present site.
San Vicente became a legal barangay (barrio) in 1928
through the initiative of former Governor Gregorio R. Quicho
(1926-1929, 1929-1931), a native of Orion. In addition to San
Vicente, the old Poblacion was divided further into several other
barangays such as Arellano, Bagumbayan and Balut.
The barangay is bounded on the north by Balagtas, on the
south by San Vicente River and Daan Bilolo, on the east by
Balagtas and Arellano and on the west by Bilolo. It has a land
area measuring 76.94 hectares. Based on 2006 Census, San
Vicente is populated by 1,277 residents.
In addition to the Orion Municipal Hall, San Vicente also
plays host to the St. Michael The Archangel Parish, the St. Michael The Archangel Academy, the Roman Catholic Cemetery
and the Jose Rizal Institute-Orion.
San Vicente River
San Vicente
Population:1,281 (2000 Census)
Barangayhood: 1928
Fiesta: June 12
Patron: St. Vicente de Ferrer
School: St. Michael Academy
Places of Interest:
Orion Municipal Hall
Roman Catholic Church
St. Michael the Archangel
Academy
Mercelita D. Cruz
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Antonio T. Cruz
Marina A. Marcelo
Diomedes I. Roxas
Miguela M. Guzman
Luisito A. Balmaceda
Jocelyn C. Padilla
Allan L. Gomez
Kristine Joy Baluyot (SK)
Miguel Sabino
Miguel Santos
Artemio Mendoza
Ernesto Santos
Felix Navarro
Lucita Sabino
Celedonia Navarro
Pedro Navarro
Alfredo Almazan
149
SANTOS, MANUEL JR.

Mayor, 1988-1992
1995-1998
1998-2001

is married to Marina Balmaceda
Santos, formerly the assistant
administrator of Bataan Colleges
and currently the college dean of
Tomas del Rosario College,
Balanga City. The couple has
four children: Lolita, Gerardo,
Marietta and Manuel III. The
Santos family currently resides
in Barangay Arellano.
Orion fish port
Orion Public Market, one of the

outstanding projects of
Mayor M. C. Santos Jr.
150
MANUEL CALIMBAS SANTOS JR. (1936- ) was the 26th and

28th mayor of Orion. He served from 1988-1992, 1995-1998 and 19982001. His father was Orions mayor from 1951-1955 and 1959-1963.
Manuel Santos Jr. is a resident of Barangay Arellano, Orion. He was
born on February 4, 1936 to parents Manuel Rivera Santos and Maria
Paz Calimbas. He is an alumnus of Orion Elementary School and Jose
Rizal Institute-Orion. He finished his Associate in Arts degree in 1957
from the University of the Santo Tomas and his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1978 from the Far Eastern University.
He was employed at the Philippine National Bank in Manila and
later in Balanga where he was the auditor from 1968 to 1979. He was
the manager of Village Savings Bank from 1980 to 1987.
His initial entry into the political scene was in 1980 when he ran and
won as provincial board member of Bataan. He served until 1986, or
immediately after the EDSA Revolution. Mayor Santos won as town
mayor in 1988 against former OIC-Mayor Alfredo Pangilinan and Dr.
Antonio Mariano (1986-1987). By winning, he became the second son
of a former mayor to be elected to the same position since 1901.
As mayor, he was credited for the establishment of the new Orion
Public Market, the asphalting of the Sto. Domingo Access Road (known
as Manuel Santos Sr. Road), the construction of Orion fishport, the reconstruction of the Orion municipal hall (through the support of Secretary Fulgencio Factoran and Governor Leonardo B. Roman), and the
creation of Barangay Santa Elena.
His re-election bid in 1992 was unsuccessful. He lost to Dr. Antonio
H. Mariano who had served Orion as vice mayor from 1972-1976,
1976-1980, and 1980-1986.
Despite the loss, Mayor Santos returned to the political arena in 1995
and won against Dr. Antonio H. Mariano. In 1998, he ran a successful
campaign against his former vice mayor, Antonio L. Raymundo Jr. In
2001 and 2004, he lost to Mayor Raymundo who is the current mayor
of Orion.
SANTOS, MANUEL SR.

MANUEL RIVERA SANTOS (1900-1973) was the 12th, 19th
and 21st mayor of Orion. He served from 1925-1927, 1927-1929,
1929-1931, 1951-1955 and 1959-1963 for a total of 15 years,
more or less.
He was a native of Barangay Arellano and was born in 1900.
He married Maria Paz Calimbas of Barangay San Vicente. The
couple had 10 children: Isabel, Loreto, Jose, Rosita, Francisco,
Ricardo, Luz, Manuel Jr., Aida and Jaime.
There is no available data on the educational attainment and
work experience of Mayor Santos but existing documents showed
that his initial entry in politics was in 1925 when he ran for mayor
and won against incumbent Mayor Fausto Paguio. He was reelected in 1927 and 1929.
Manuel R. Santos Sr.

Mayor, 1925-1927
1927-1929
1929-1931
1951-1955
1959-1963
Orion municipal building,

built in 1954
Mayor Santos made a successful comeback in 1951 against his former vice mayor and incumbent Mayor Agustin I. Angeles. His victory
was attributed to his role in working for the release of a big number of
Sto. Domingo residents who were arrested and allegedly tortured by
soldiers of the Philippine Constabulary on suspicion of being involved
in the Hukbalahap movement.
During his second term at the municipal hall, he was able to put up
a new municipal building through the P15,000 cash donation of Manila Diesel Parts and Supply owner Gabriel Pascual, a native of Lati,
Orion. He ran for congressman of Bataan in 1956 but it was unsuccessful. Mayor Santos also initiated the construction of the Orion Puericulture Center (1951), several farm-to-market roads, including the
Sto. Domingo access road (which was named in his honor later on).
Mayor Santos lost at the polls in 1955 against Alberto Cristobal of
Daan Bago who became the 20th mayor of Orion. For four years,
Mayor Cristobal held office in newly-completed municipio built by
Mayor Santos.
Mayor Santos, however, remained undaunted by the loss. He challenged Mayor Cristobal to a rematch in 1959. After the votes were
tallied, Mayor Santos emerged as poll winner. He retired from active
politics after his term ended in 1963. He passed away on October 3,
1973.
The old Orion Puericulture Center
Sto. Domingo access road
151
SCHOOLS
Orion National High School in

Batagtas
SCHOOLS are institutions, either public and private, which provide formal education to children and the youth sector, in general.
As of last count, there are 14 public and 5 private schools offering elementary education in the municipality. They are generally
well-dispersed throughout the eastern side of Orion. The list of
schools include:
Public Bantan Elementary School (ES), Bilolo ES, Calungusan ES, Camachile ES, Capunitan ES, Daan Pare ES, Kaput
ES, Orion ES, Pablo Roman ES, Puting Buhangin ES, Sabatan ES,
Sto. Domingo ES, Sta. Elena ES and EVA Aeta School in Pita,
Gen. Lim;
Private Gethsemane Ecumenical School, Orion Kiddie
Learning Center, St. Michael The Archangel Academy, and
School of the Madeleine.
Public & Private Schools

Public 41
Daycare 23;Elementary
14; High Schools 3;
Vocational/Technical 1
Private - 6
Pre-School 2; Elementary
2; High School 2;
Voc./Techl 0
Jose Rizal Institute in Balagtas
Bataan School of Fisheries in Daan

Bago, Orion.
152
For the School Year 2004-2005, the total elementary enrollment in Orion was 9,694. Orion Elementary School had the biggest enrollment with 1,579, followed by Capunitan ES with 769
pupils. There were 305 teachers in all the elementary schools in
Orion.
On the secondary level, Orion has one public, one vocational
and three private high schools, namely Orion National High
School and the Bataan School of Fisheries. The three private high
schools, are the Jose Rizal Institute (JRI-Orion) and the St. Michael Academy, a parochial school and School of the Madeleine.
Enrollment in the secondary level for SY 2006-2007 is more or
less 3,885 students whose educational needs were taken cared of
by about 127 teachers.
The Bataan School of Fisheries, located in Barangay Daan
Bago, offers only vocational tertiary courses. In addition, there is a
sufficient number of tertiary and other vocational schools, about
18 public and private learning institutions, in the entire province
of Bataan most of which are located in the City of Balanga.
In addition, Orion has 23 day care centers managed by 23 day
care workers. Some of the workers are paid under the Development Fund of the local government, some by CIDSS/KALAHI,
while others are sponsored by non-government organizations.
The Kings Garden Children Home in Sabatan, meanwhile, has
a facility for the disadvantaged residents who account for about
0.51% of the population.
SENIOR CITIZEN
A senior citizen is one who reaches the age of 60. At present,
about 20 percent of the total population of the Philippines belongs
to the 60 years old and over age bracket. As elderlies, their number still makes them an integral part of the society.
The government, in order to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation-building, has come up with the Senior Citizens Act (RA 7432) and the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA
9257), two laws granting benefits and privileges to senior citizens.
The privileges include the granting of 20 percent discount from
all establishments relative to the utilization of services in hotels
and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers, and purchase of medicines for the exclusive use or enjoyment
of senior citizens, including funeral and burial services.
Theaters, concert halls, circuses and other similar places of culture, leisures and amusements are also mandated to give 20 percent discount on admission fees of senior citizens, as well as fares
for domestic air and sea travel, land transportation including railways and skyways. Senior citizens also enjoy free medical and
dental services in all government health facilities.
To fully enjoy these benefits and privileges, senior citizens are
encouraged to organize themselves into active groups to show
their full support to the government program. Thus, the Office of
the Senior Citizens Affair was organized throughout the country.
In Orion, for instance, all barangays have organized their respective senior citizens organization since 1992. They have their
own social hall or headquarters separate from the office of the
barangay council. They regularly elect their own officials who develop and implement programs for the members.
Another similar organization is established in the municipal
level. Thereafter, representatives from each municipality join the
provincial organization where new set of officers are elected.
These officers formulate new programs for their members. As of
2002, the provincial organization established its own drug store
where affordable drugs are sold.
The officers of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affair-Orion
include:
Office of the Senior Citizens Affair-Orion
OSCA Chairman
Renato G. Pangilinan
President
Marino L. Padilla
Vice President
Alfonso M. Gigante
Secretary
Lorenzo Alarcon
Treasurer
Adoracion Lacson
Auditor
Arturo Gautane
PRO
Pacifico Valenzuela
Board Members
Lucy Santiago
Manuel Tolentino
Ricardo J. Santos
Daan Bilolo
Lusungan
Wawa
Lati
Daan Bilolo
Gen. Lim
Balut
Arellano
Balagtas
Bantan
Senior Citizens celebrate Linggo

ng Nakatatanda once a year.
Elders, partners in nation-building
Senior Citizens
are given incentives like 20 percent discount from establishments like hotels, restaurants,
recreation centers, theaters,
concert halls, circuses, concerts,
domestic air and sea travel, land
transportation, railways and skyways. They also get discount
from purchase of medicines,
including funeral and burial services. They also enjoy free
medical and dental services in
all government health facilities.
Renato G. Pangilinan
OSCA Chairman
153
SORIANO, VALERIANO
VALERIANO SORIANO was elected and served as the 14th
mayor of Orion from 1934 to1937.
Mayor Soriano was born in Daan Bilolo. There is paucity on
the details of Sorianos personal life. Available records showed
that he was more popularly known in Orion as American Boy.
After spending a few years in the United States as a US Navyman
he returned to Orion in the early 1930s together with his Jewish
wife named Rita.
Within a year of stay in Orion, he realized that he had the
knowledge and experience on how to run the affairs of a small
town effectively. He immediately launched his political campaign aimed at unseating the incumbent Mayor Jose Baltazar of
San Vicente whom he claimed showed a lackluster performance
as a town executive.
Valeriano Soriano
Mayor, 1934-1937
During Mayor Valerianos administration, Orion became one

of the tourism showcases in
Bataan. His beautification and
cleanliness programs in Orion.
Plaza Soriano, 1950
IN MEMORIAM
On October 30, 1950, the
Municipal Council of Orion
headed by Mayor Agustin
Angeles passed a resolution
naming the Orion town plaza
as Plaza Soriano, in honor
of former Mayor Valeriano
American Boy Soriano
(1934-1937).
154
During the 1934 local elections, people were amazed by the

political strategies employed by Mayor Soriano and his runningmate, vice mayoralty candidate Alejo Candido. Even former
Mayor Manuel R. Santos Sr., Jose Baltazars patron and political
ally, expected a landslide victory for Soriano.
True enough, Soriano and his entire ticket won at the polls.
As mayor, Soriano immediately launched an American brand of
beautification project in Orion, especially in the town center area.
The municipal building was repaired and coated with glossy white
paint. A bandstand (glorietta) was built in the town plaza and
lighting posts were erected along the main road. The vicinity of
Wawa and Lusungan were maintained clean and the coastline was
designated as a tourist spot. Within a year, Orion became one of
the tourism showcases in the province.
Despite all these achievements, political affiliation and the
growing clamor for total independence from America dictated the
outcome of the 1937 election. Re-electionist Mayor Soriano was
defeated at the polls by newcomer Agapito Rivera of San Vicente.
Worst, Mayor Soriano fall victim to some unidentified gunmen
who shot him dead in his residence in early 1950. Although he was
believed to be a victim of the Hukbalahaps, one Ado Venegas was
identified as the principal suspect, convicted and sent to jail.
ST. MICHAEL HOSPITAL

Sports and Recreation
Orions sports and recreational

facilities are limited to multipurpose courts, both covered and
open.
Orions sports and recreational facilities are mostly limited to multipurpose courts (covered and open) and pockets of open areas. Almost all of the 23 barangays in town have basketball/volleyball
courts where annual sports festivals are held. But San Vicente hosts
the basketball sports festival held annually in Orion.
Barangays Balagtas, Calungusan, and Wawa are the three barangays which take pride in having their respective covered courts.
Balagtas has a tennis court while Wawa has two public parks.
An inventory of the recreational facilities in the municipality
shows nine private resorts (two in Bilolo, one in Sta. Elena, two in
Puting Buhangin, one in Bantan and three in Sto. Domingo).
Private Resorts
Villa Leticia
Bantan
Villa Sol
Sto. Domingo
Au-au Resort
Sto. Domingo
Villa Lourdes
Sto. Domingo
Beni-Press Res. Sta. Elena
Pulong Bato Res. P. Buhangin
Deltra Farm
Sto. Domingo
Villa Eden
P. Buhangin
Joriz Farm
P. Buhangin
Tennis court in Balagtas
ST. MICHAEL HOSPITAL is a private hospital which takes

care of ailing residents of Orion and adjacent towns. The twostorey building is located in Barangay Wakas, at the site of the
former Orion public market.
It is owned by Dr. Angelito Baluyot Jr., son of Dr. Linda
Baluyot, former municipal health officer of Pilar and the late
Dr. Angelito Baluyot Sr. of Wakas
The 22-bed hospital opened in 2003.
The medical facilities of the St. Michael Hospital is at par with other
medical centers in Bataan.
155
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL ACADEMY

The SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL ACADEMY is the
only parochial school operating in Orion.
The school is owned by the Roman Catholic Bishop of
Balanga, Inc. and administered by the Franciscan Sisters of the
Immaculate Conception. It offers pre-elementary, elementary
and high school education.
The academy was initially called the Holy Child Catholic
School. It was founded by Fr. Wilfredo C. Paguio in 1982. It
opened its nursery and kindergarten classes that same year. An
elementary school opened in 1985 and had its first graduation
rites in 1991.
Fr. Wilfredo Paguio, STD, JCD
High school classes were offered by the school in 1999. The
first graduation of high school students was held in 2003.
For the School Year 2005-2006, the St. Michael The Archangel Academy registered a total of 335 students broken down as
follows: Nursery, 15; Kindergarten, 16; Elementary, 141; and
High School, 163.
Sr. Judith Albialde. SFIC
School Administrators:
Sr. Regina Nicolas, OP
1984--1985
Mrs. Pacita Bagtas
1985-1987
Rosalina Paguio
1987-1992
Rowena Q. Santos
1992-2000
Sr. Ruth A. Santiago, SFIC
2000-2004
Sr. Judith A. Albialde, SFIC
2004-present
Academys elementary pupils

156
The facade of St. Michael the Archangel Academy
High School students of St. Michaels Academy
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH
St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church, 1974
St. Michael the Archangel
The ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH is the center of

religious services and practices of the Roman Catholics in Orion. It is
located in Barangay San Vicente, beside the Orion municipal building
and town plaza.
It was Fr. Domingo Perez of Portugal who founded and developed
Orion into a visita (barangay) of Abucay. As soon as the towns population increased sufficiently, the religious authorities decided to separate it from Abucay and made it an independent vicariate (town). In
1667 Orion was placed under the patronage of St. Michael the Archangel.
It is said that the first wooden chapel and convent of the town was
built along the Sto. Domingo River, in the area presently occupied by
the Freds Mart. After the death of Fr. Perez, sometime in 1680, a solid
edifice made primarily of red bricks was built on the present site of the
church in Barangay San Vicente. The church had an initial measurement of 50 meters long and 25 meters wide, excluding the convent.
The church underwent expansion and rehabilitation as years passed by.
Dr. Miguel Fuster was the first to teach church music in Orion. He
also built the Daan Pare road leading to Limay.
The building, unfortunately, was damaged heavily by an earthquake
in September 1852. The task of rebuilding the church was started by
Frs. Ramon Rodriguez, Andres Chaveli and Pedro Rodriguez. Fr.
Ramon was mainly responsible for the rebuilding of the convent with
galvanized iron roofings. The churchs construction was continued by
Fr. Jose Campomanes and Fr. Jose Auli. It was Fr. Campomanes who
gathered the materials for the church while Fr. Auli finished the church
which was crowned by a grand and magnificent tower.
Fr. Claro Arroyo was the one who built the cemetery with concrete
fence at the back of the church.
A sacristy, which measured about 350 square meters, was added to
the original church sometime during the American period.
It was Fr. Ulpiano Herrero who built the churchs beautiful sacristy...
The old church main altar of St.

Michael the Archangel academy
St. Michael the Archangel Churchs

Bell
First church
The initial chapel in Orion was
erected in the Tutuban area,
along Sto. Domingo River. It
was replaced in 1680 by a concrete edifice built in San Vicente.
157
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH

Fr. Herrero also acquired the big and small bells for the belfry.
He was responsible for building the wide and spacious dining
room and kitchen of the convent, the different offices and the
school for boys and girls. The spacious space under the convent
was converted into school classrooms.
Fr. Herrero also acquired the church vestments, chalices and
other sacred vessels for use in the church. He also built the altar
of marble with the image of Saint Michael in the middle, that of
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary at the Gospel side, and that of
St. Michael the Archangels convent
Santo Domingo at the Epistle side.
in Orion
After the fire of May 3, 1893, the parish priest, Fr. Jose Campomanes, ordered better town planning with the houses built farther from each other to prevent another big fire.
Among the first missionaries who signed the baptismal certificates of the residents were Frs. Domingo Perez, Juan Pequero,
Baltazar de Sta. Cruz, Josep de Ysusi and Francisco de Villalba.
After the takeover of the Secular priests, the first Dominican
friar to be assigned as parish priest of Orion was Fr. Miguel
Lerma in 1832. The last Dominican to administer to the parish
was Fr. Ulpiano Herrero whose assistant was Fr. Julian Misol.
Roman Catholic cemetery
St. Michael the Archangel, Captain

of the Heavenly Host and Great Protector
OTHER ARCHANGELS:
* St. Gabriel
* St. Daniel
* St. Raphael
158
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL is the patron saint of the

Roman Catholics in Orion.
People had become familiar with the idea that St. Michael
the Archangel was not only the captain of the Heavenly Host
and the Great Protector, but also the arbiter of mans destinies
on the threshold of the world to come. His feast is celebrated
annually on September 29.
There are indications of an early cult of St. Michael connecting him with the wonders wrought by the hot springs of Phrygia, notably at Hierapolis, and it seems certain that already in
the fourth century a church was dedicated under his name near
Constantinople, possibly in the lifetime of the first Christian emperor, Constantine. There is also evidence that a basilica in
honor of St. Michael was constructed near Rome at the sixth
milestone along the Via Salaria at an early date. Several
Masses, apparently connected with this shrine, are provided in
the earliest Roman Mass-book, the so-called Leonianum, and
are assigned to the end of September.
In a written legend summarized in the Breviary, the Archangel manifested his desire that a cave near the summit of the eminence called Mount Garganus be consecrated in his honor.
Numberless miracles were believed to have been wrought in the
cave or crypt where a spring trickled which was credited with
healing virtue. The fame of the shrine soon spread all over the
West. It is manifested by the fact that Mount Garganus is mentioned in one of the oldest manuscripts of the Hieronymianum in
connection with the Feast of St. Michael.
Except for a few pages involving baptismal and

nuptial records, nothing more can be found in the
archives of the St. Michael Archangel Church as
a result of the big fire which razed the town on
May 3, 1893. Records dating back from 1667 up
to 1905 are forever gone. Only an intensive research in the books of the First Provincial Chapters of the Dominican Order in the Philippines
can bring back the missing 240 year religious history of Orion.
Below are some of the existing records of the
Orion Church. The first 14 parish priests in the
list do not even have the dates of their tenure. The
remaining 12 are those who labored in Orion
from 1907 to the present. Even the dates of their
tour of duty in Orion, are well written in the existing documents under the care of the church:
Fr. Domingo Perez is acknowledged as the

first parish priest of Orion starting in1667. He
was followed by Fr. Juan Pequero, Baltazar
de Sta. Cruz, Josep de Ysusi, Francisco de
Villalba, Fr. Roman Cordero, Fr. Orot, Fr.
Aviles, and Fr. Segundo, not necessarily in
chronological order.
Sometime in 1770, the Dominicans transferred
the ministration of St. Michael Archangel Parish
to the Secular Clergy on orders of GovernorGeneral and Archbishop Basilio Sancho de Santa
Justa y Rufino. It was an act that put the Dominicans and other Regular priest under Diocesan
visitation and Royal Patronage. The Dominicans
were replaced by Secular priests, Filipino priests
who do not belong to any Religious Order and
were addressed as Don and not Father.
The list of Secular priests who were assigned
in Orion from 1771 to 1832 was never found in
the records of the Orion church. A few names,
however, were mentioned in some existing documents:
Fr. Bartolome Urquisa

Fr. Silverio Tiambeng
Fr. Primitivo Salaveria
Fr. Miguel Fuster
1827-1829
1829-1830
1830-1832
1829-1832
Fr. Fuster was the priest who opened the

Orion-Limay road via Daan Pare.
In 1832, the Dominicans returned to Orion
and replaced the incumbent Secular priest.
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PRIESTS

The new Religious priests include:
Fr. Miguel Lerma
1832- n.a.
Fr. Cayetano Arellano
1846-1851
Fr. Pedro Rodriguez
1851-1854
Fr. Andres Chaveli
1854-1860
Fr. Ramon Rodriguez
1860-1868
Fr. Jose Campomanes
n.a. -1893
Fr. Claro Arroyo
1895-1898
Fr. Ulpiano Herrero
1895-1898
Fr. Julian Misol
1896-1898
From 1898 to 1904, no priest, Spanish or otherwise, was assigned in Orion. Fr. Primitivo Baltazar, a priest and a true-bloodied Orion native,
was the first clergy to be allowed to hold services
at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish three
years after the Americans started its colonization
of the country.
Fr. Primitivo Baltazar

Fr. Adriano Cuerpo (asst.)
Fr. Cornelio Salamat
Fr. Jose Z. Marquez
Fr. Wilfredo Paguio
Fr. Romeo Banaban
Fr. Armando Morales
Fr. Donnie Enero
Fr. Antonio Dumaual
Fr. Florencio Braga
FR. MARIO PEREZ
FR. RENE DE LEON
(Guest Priest)
1904-1936
n.a.
1936-1952
1955-1981
1981-1986
1986-1994
1994-1995
1995-1996
1996-2002
2002-2004
2004-present
2004-present
159
STA. ELENA
Sta. Elena
Barangayhood: Sept. 7, 1988
Fiesta: May 2
Patron: Sta. Elena
River: - none School: Sta. Elena Elementary
School
Places of Interest:
Beni-Press Resort
Barbarin Hills
Reclamation project
MAP OF ORION
BARANGAY STA. ELENA is one of the three southern barangays of Orion. It was formerly known as Mantigbe, then a sitio
of Barangay Puting Buhangin. The name was changed to Sta.
Elena on September 7, 1988 when it was formally recognized as
a regular barangay. A plebiscite held on July 30, 1989 showed
552 residents were in favor of converting Sta. Elena into a barangay. Only thirteen people were against it.
The barangay, named after its patron saint, is bounded on the
north and west by Daan Pare, on the south by Puting Buhangin,
and on the east by Manila Bay. It has a land area of 25.43 hectares and inhabited by 1,128 as of 2003.
The barangay is accessible via the combined Bataan National
Road and the Roman Expressway. It has a chapel, social hall, a
complete elementary school and several tourism spots such as
the Beni-Pres Resort and the Barbarin Hills.
Sta. Elena takes pride in having a native son, Kerby Raymundo, as one of the most bankable players in the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA), today.
Sta. Elena
PresentSangguniang Barangay
Rodolfo R. Ramirez
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Daisy R. Lazaro
Armando R. Diaz
Wilfredo D. Ramirez
Alfredo R. Gervacio
Altero B. Tejones Sr.
Armando F. Samson
Isabelito O. Mario
Bobby R. Lopez (SK)
Bataan National Road, major access road to Sta. Elena

Florentino Cabral 1989-1994
Sta. Elenas chapel, top;

at right is the barangay hall
160
STA. ELENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Teaching Staff
CARMELITA N. RAMOS
Head Teacher
Teachers:
Melita Llada
Erlinda Alvarez
Josie Macaraig
Elenita Navarro
Estrella Abadia
The newly-acquired campus of Sta.

Elena Elem. School
SANTA ELENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is the newest public elementary school in Orion. It was established as a primary
school in 1995 offering Grades I and II classes only. The initial
number of pupils was registered at 27 only.
The school campus measuring about 3,025 square meters,
was built on a former marshland. It is a public land, part of the
2.5 hectares reclaimed area which is being proposed as a local
tourist attraction in the barangay. Today, the school has been developed and offers a complete elementary course. A new building has been constructed to house the Principal office and the
intermediate level.
number of 159 elementary pupils. Mrs. Carmelita N. Ramos is
the current head teacher. Seven teachers are assigned in Sta.
Elena.
Sta. Elenas teaching force led by

Carmelita N. Ramos, school Head
Teacher
Sta. Elenas elementary students

161
STO. DOMINGO
Sto. Domingo
Sto. Domingo arch
MAP OF ORION
Sto. Domingo
Barangayhood: 1883/1915
Fiesta: May 25
Patron: St. Dominic de Guzman
River: Sto. Domingo Creek
School: Sto. Domingo Elem.
School
Places of Interest:
Villa Sol (Deltra Farm)
Au-au Inland Resort
Villa Lourdes Resort
Present Punong Barangay
Herman V. Fernandez
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Lolita S. Solania
Wenceslao R. dela Pena
Carlos S. de Guzman
Modesto P. Gatdula
Alicia R. Bantugan
Lydia Q. de Guzman
Liwayway Santos
Neil R. Bantugan (SK)
Former Punong barangay
Victoriano Agustin n.a.
Policarpio Agustin 1896-1904
Eugenio Trajano 1904-1907
Zacarias Trajano 1907-1919
Luis Fernandez
1919-1923
Feliciano Quicho 1923-1935
Pedro Mateo
1935-1947
Wenceslao Lonzon 1947-1949
Vicente Alvarado 1949-1951
Pablo Romero
1951-1954
Pedro dela Cruz 1954Roberto Fernandez
Remegio Mariano
Lucy Lonzon
162
STO. DOMINGO is the sixth largest barrio among the 23 barangays

in Orion. It has a land area of 302.04 hectares and inhabited by
3,064 people, based on the 2000 Census.
The barangay is another periphery locality about 2 kilometers
north of the town proper. It has an access road that connects the
Bataan National Road to the Roman Expressway. It was concreted
during the term of Mayor Manuel C. Santos Jr.
Barangay Sto. Domingo was named after its patron, Sto. Domingo de Guzman, the same spiritual saint of the Abukenos.
Records have it that Sto. Domingo was established as a regular
barangay in 1883. At that time, Camachile was still a part of Sto.
Domingo. The two were separated in 1915, during the American
Occupation (1901-1945). The Agustins, Trajanos, Cruzes, Canarias,
Villegases, Romeros and Bagtases were the early family settlers of
Sto. Domingo.
During the Spanish era, there were two kabyawans or crude
sugar mills in Sto. Domingo. They were owned by Victoriano Rodriguez and Victor Trajano. Besides farming, the residents are also
involved in fishing in as much as their eastern boundary is Manila
Bay.
During the American regime, the two sugar mills were closed.
On its place, a rice mill was built in the area and operated by a native of Silang, Cavite.
From 1941 to 1942, the residents evacuated to the mountains.
When the Japanese set up their garrison in Sto. Domingo, the people
were enticed to return to their homes. Still, the people suffered
physical torture from the ruthless conquerors. Almost one-third of
the entire population were killed and all the houses and buildings
were burned or destroyed during the Liberation year.
At the height of the Huk movement, Sto. Domingo was zoned
by the Philippine Constabulary on the suspicion that many residents
were harboring some of the rebel elements. Those suspected of involvement in the underground organization were arrested and tortured. Manuel R. Santos Sr., the person responsible for their release
from confinement, won overwhelmingly in Sto. Domingo during
the 1951 local elections.
STO. DOMINGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

STO. DOMINGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was one of the pet
projects of former Mayor Agustin I. Angeles (1946-1951). Its
construction started in 1949. The school sits on a lot measuring
about 5,062 square meters which was donated by Pedro Barcenas and Emiliana Rodriguez.
The school, however, remained a primary school for the next
ten years. It offered classes in Grade I and Grade II only. The
first three teachers were Guillermo Mateo, Candelaria Mariano
and Remedios Sangalang.
It was former Mayor Manuel R. Santos Sr. (1959-1963) who
initiated the completion of the school. He solicited the support of
then Senator Juan Sumulong to appropriate a portion of his pork
barrel funds to complete the school.
The completed school was inaugurated in June 1962. Mayor
Agustin Angeles
Santos Sr. wanted to name the school Don Juan Sumulong Elementary School but it was not pursued when he decided not to
seek re-election during the 1963 local polls.
enrollment of 342. Mrs. Angelita M. San Jose, the principal, and
11 regular teachers attend to the educational needs of the children of Sto.Domingo.
The lively pupils of Sto. Domingo

Elementary School
School Administrators
Guillermo Mateo
1960
Candelaria Mariano
1979
Josefina Merquiado
1995
Ma. Fe Angeles
1999
Zenaida M. Sison
2001
ANGELITA M. SAN JOSE
2005-present
Teaching staff
Josefina Fernandez
Clarita Evangelista
Amelita Evangelista
Carmelita V. Cruz
Josefina Icban
Priscila Macatangay
Virginia Balmaceda
Top photos, grade pupils and teaching staff of Sto. Domingo Elem. School
A regular classroom scene

163
TIAMBENG, APRONIANO G.
Tt
Aproniano G. Tiambeng
Mayor, 1918-1919
TIAMBENG, Aproniano G.
APROPRIANO GUZON TIAMBENG was the eight mayor of
Orion who served from 1918 to 1919.
Mayor Tiambeng was a native of Bagumbayan, Orion. His
parents were Venerando Tiambeng and Leopolda Guzon. It is
said that Tiambeng once resided in Corregidor starting in 1907
when the island was being transformed by the Americans into a
fortress. He spent time in Corregidor not as a construction
worker but as an ordinary barber in Barrio San Jose. Later on, he
was designated or hired as a manpower supplier in the Corregidor project. It was here where he amassed wealth and power.
In 1917, he returned to Orion and ran for the mayoralty position against incumbent Mayor Donato Calimbas. Calimbas used
his familys wealth to remain in power but his strategies failed
miserably. Tiambeng triumphed at the polls and started his administration in 1918. Unfortunately, his term was cut short in
1919 after Governor Pedro Rich placed Orion and Pilar under
military control in December 1919.
Tiambeng was replaced by Simeon Rodriguez who also
served as Pilar mayor simultaneously until 1921.
TIAMBENG, Juana R.
JUANA RODRIGUEZ TIAMBENG was the better half of the
foremost Filipino poet, Francisco Baltazar.
Juana, the daughter of Don Juan Tiambeng and Dona
Dominga Rodriguez of Barangay de Hipolito dela Cruz (now
Wakas) married Balagtas on July 22, 1842. The simple wedding
was officiated by Fr. Cayetano Arellano (uncle of Supreme
Court Justice Cayetano Arellano) and witnessed by Hisberto
Lonzon and Ana Rivera.
Baltazar met Juana Tiambeng in 1841, a year after working as
an auxiliary (paralegal secretary) of a residential judge in
Balanga.
Juana R. Tiambeng
Procession
164
Traditions/Customs
Orion is rich in traditional practices and customs. Most of them
are no longer observed today but they have been a part of the
towns history and culture. Others are still being practiced but
have come to terms with modern times and technology.
Flores de MayoMay is the month of flowers. Marian
devotees come to the Catholic Church every afternoon to observe a month-long offering of flowers to the Blessed Virgin.
This culminates on the last Sunday with a procession participated in by the Block Rosary units of each barangay.
Lenten Seasonas it is locally known begins on Ash
Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. The passion and death
of Jesus is commemorated with fasting and abstinence. In the
past, eating meat is avoided on all Fridays.
TRADITIONS/CUSTOMS
Everyone is prohibited from reading, listening to the radio, watching
tv or movies and other recreations. They are to read/chant the
Pasyon instead. These are strictly practiced by the Catholics up to
the early part of the 20th century.
Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos or Palaspas)is the first
day of the Holy Week. The Catholics flock to the church for the reenactment of Jesus entrance to Jerusalem.
Elevated stages were constructed in the plaza, but in the recent
times balconies of the selected houses are used for the purpose.
Here, children dressed as angels sing Hosana as they shower flowers to the passing procession. Women in the procession lay veils
on the ground as the priest passes and blesses the palms or the palaspas. A high mass follows after the procession.
Kubo-kubo and the PenetentsKubo-kubo is the term given
to temporary structures built along the route of the procession held
on Holy Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. They are
built the bayanihan way by the barangay folks on Palm Sunday
and house the altars that depict the 14 Stations of the Cross. Each
Kubo-kubo tries to outdo each other in their presentation. This is
where the barangay folks meditate as they chant the Pasyon.
The flagellants known as Gapang or Gulong are half-naked
men who roll on the streets to frustrate themselves in front of the
main altar on Holy Wednesday as penance for sins committed. On
Good Friday, their backs initially wounded by broken glasses, are
continuously whipped by themselves as they pass the kubo-kubo
until they bleed. They culminate the ritual by taking a bath in the
river.
In the 90s, there emerge another group of flagellants who carry
heavy cross is made out of newly cut trunks of trees.
Good Fridaypeople flock to the church as early as12 pm to
meditate on the Seven Last Words or Siete Palabras. Some consider the three hour ordeal as penance for their sins. Others stay
home, watch and listen to the radio broadcast for homilies on
Christs last words.
At 3pm, church goers witness a dramatic presentation of Christs
death. Sounds of hidden drums signal a person at the base of the
altar to loosen the rope that holds to the head of the Christ image on
the crucifix to make it bow down. The veneration on the Cross and
public kissing of the image of Santo Intierro follows. The image is a
donation of Don Cayetano Arellano.
A long procession commemorating the Lords funeral is held at
night.
Easter SundayBlack Saturday remains a day of silence. At
night, people flock to a place in Lati called Galeleia where the
Subok is held to select the child who will perform as angel in the
Salubong ritual on Easter morning. The contestant, who sings the
song Regina Coeli; more popularly known as Alleluia or
Orecsek the best is declared the winner.
Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos or

Palaspas)
Penetencia (Gapang or Gulong)
A dramatic presentation of Christs

death
Eater Sunday
At the dawn of Easter Sunday ringing of churchs bells could be heard.
People gather in Lati to see the
Salubong. This is a pageant commemorating the meeting of the risen
Christ and His mother, Mary. Two
processions, one following the image of Christ the other following
the image of Mary approach each
other from opposite directions while
the Regina Coeli is being sung by
little girls dressed as angels. Everything is set and timed so that the
two images meet below a great arch
like structure. Then, a little girl or a
boy dressed as angel descends
from the arch, removed the mourning shroud of the Virgin as he/she
sings the resurrection hymn. Afterwards the two images are ushered
into the church for Easter Mass.
165
TRADITIONS/CUSTOMS
Small bancas prepare for Ligiran
The Filipino bayanihan spirit
Santakruzan in Arellano
Ligiranis a religious practice among Orion Catholics

where the image of St. Michael, the Archangel, is brought to the
sea and placed in a decorated basing on May 8, his feast day.
At high noon, townfolks riding on smaller bancas, goes around
the basnig, singing and offering thanksgiving prayers to the archangel.
Palusongis the bayanihan spirit among the farmers of
Orion who group themselves into teams when mechanized tractors and modern farm implements are not available to them.
They work together in plowing and harrowing the field of a
teammate during his scheduled planting date. Service, lunch and
merriendas are free.
Pinipig Seasonis that time in September when people of
Orion go out at night and flock to places where pinipig is produced.
Duman which the people of Orion fondly calle pinipig, is unripend grains of glutinous rice or malagkit which is roasted in a
palayok, then pounded by a pair to the tune of an accompanying
guitar. The folks love to buy and eat duman or use it for
binatog (popped duman with sweetened coconut milk.)
Santakruzanis a religious procession of sagalas in May to
re-enact the founding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helen and her
son, Constantine. In the recent times, the procession is followed by
street dancing or Caracol. The affair is manage by selected hermanas/hermanos in each barangay. A Grand Santakruzan is held on the
last Sunday of the month arranged and managed by the St. Michael
the Archangel Parish Pastoral Council.
Vernacular LanguageOrion folks use some terms and expressions that are unique in other places. An example is adding ay
with rising intonation at the end of a sentence ie. Hindi naman ay.
The following words are examples found in towns vernacular: taguling (canal or water ways), nadumog (run over by a vehicle), maparas (spicy), makasat (naughty), patko (sweetened grated coconut),
ginaok (cocojam in bamboo), gasak (kaingin), yari ka na? (are you
done?), para kang si iriot (dressed in bad taste) etc.
TRINIDAD, Filemon
Filemon Trinidad
166
ATTY. FILEMON TRINIDAD, a native of Lati, Orion, was the provincial administrator of Bataan from 1970 to 1983. Upon retirement, he
was designated as Special Prosecutor under the Office of the Provincial
Governor.
Atty. Trinidad completed his Law degree and passed the Bar examinations too. His employment at the Capitol began in 1970 when he
served as Bataans provincial attorney. He kept the position during the
entire 15-year administration of former Governor Efren B. Pascual
(1971-1986). He retired from government service on May 10, 1983 but
the provincial board re-hired him as Special Prosecutor until 1986.
Atty. Trinidad currently resides in Kamuning, Quezon city, together
with his family.
UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT
The UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT in Orion refers to clandestine
organizations which were established in town for a definite purpose or
objective. The history of these factions, big or small, cover more than
100 years starting from the later part of the Spanish era to the present.
The first known underground organization in Orion was the Dampulan, a local Katipunan unit organized by Lieutenant Victor T. Baltazar,
son of Francisco Baltazar. The Dampulan was specifically organized to
liberate the town from the tyranny of the Spaniards. The members believed that the only way to accomplish their objective was to prepare for
an armed conflict. Baltazar and the Dampulan rebels were responsible
for the defeat of the Orion-based Spaniards during the successful May
29, 1898 rebellion.
The underground movement continued in Orion even after the Spaniards were forced out of town. Local rebels took up their arms when the
Filipino-American hostilities began in early 1899. A big number of
Orion rebels, to include Victor Baltazar, laid down their arms as a result
of the American peace propaganda. The brutal treatment of captured
guerillas, however forced the other lesser known rebels to join the Philippine Army organized in Bataan by Major Manuel L. Quezon
The relentless campaign of the Americans ultimately led to the
downfall of the remaining Orion rebels in 1901, the same year Ge-neral
Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in Palanan, Isabela. One of the last rebel leaders who surrendered to American Captain John Gouldman was
Lt. Luis L. Baltazar.
During the Japanese Occupation, another underground movement
was organized in Orion. It was called the guerilla organization. Captain
Tomas Pangilinan de Guzman, a former USAFFE soldier from San
Vicente who escaped from the Death March, was the acknow-ledged
leader of the group. It belonged to the so-called Second Regiment,
Bataan Military District under the command of US Colonel John P.
Boone based in Tala, Orani. They were tasked to perform three functions: to ambush or otherwise kill enemy soldiers; gather and relay important intelligence reports; and to liquidate spies and Japanese sympathizers. The last two tasks were easily complied with. There was no report of ambuscade against the enemy in Orion during the entire Japanese Occupation. Orion guerillas and local Hukbalahaps actively participated in the mopping-up operations against Japanese stragglers during the Liberation. Capt. De Guzman served later on as chief of police
of Orion.
The Hukbalahaps, on the other hand, continued to sow terror among
the residents of Orion after the war, especially after it was retain by the
government. In 1960, a Huk leader named Silvestre Liwanag, a.k.a.
Linda Bie, was arrested in Calungusan by members of the 15th Philippine Constabulary team led by Major Wilfredo Encarnacion. Linda Bie
was the third highest Huk leader in the country during that time.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army, as well
as the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB) also became a major
concern in Orion starting in the late 1970s and up to the present.
Uu
Katipunan, first underground

movement in Bataan.
Hukbalahaps
Originally organized as a guerilla unit during the Japanese
Occupation, the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon was
outlawed by the government.
Huk dissidents soon sowed terror in many parts of the province
during the 1950s.
CPP-NPA
The Communist Party of the
Philippines-New Peoples Army
remains a major concern of the
government up to the present
time.
167
URQUISA, FRANCISCO
Francisco Urquisa
Mayor, 1914-1916
Accomplishments
It was During Francisco
Urquisas administration when
new barangays were formally
created in Orion. The barrios
include Arellano, Bantan,
Camachile, Daan Pare and Sto.
Domingo
As governor of Bataan from
1914 to 1916, Delos Reyes initiated the creation of new barangays to get more financial support from the national government and to prevent the annexation of Bataan back to Pampanga.
Gregorio S. Uy Jr.
SK Chairman, 1985-1986
1995-1998
1998-2001
168
URQUISA, Francisco
FRANCISCO URQUISA was the sixth mayor of Orion. He served
from 1914 to 1916. He was also the towns vice mayor from 1912
to 1914.
Mayor Urquisas name was not listed in the initial record of former individuals who served as municipal mayor of Orion. The book
entitled History of Bataan, published in June 1953, proved otherwise. Victor M. de Leon (acting Bataan Schools Division Superintendent at that time) wrote that Urquisa both served as mayor and
vice mayor of the town.
The historical data concerning Urquisa and other former mayors
of Orion were destroyed during World War II. Informations gathered recently, however, showed that Mayor Urquisa was the son
of Margarito Urquisa, a nephew of Fr. Bartolome Urquisa (a Spanish priest assigned in Orion from 1827 to 1829). Margaritos father (Belarmino) came to the Philippines and stayed in the convent
wherever Fr. Bartolome was assigned. Belarmino chose to stay in
Orion even after his brother was re-assigned in another parish.
Later on, he married a local woman from San Vicente. The couple
had two sons: Rodrigo and Margarito, the father of Mayor Francisco Urquisa.
Mayor Urquisa grew up in Orion but transferred to Manila in
1891 to complete his secondary education. He had to quit his college studies at the height of the Philippine Revolution and returned
to Orion. Starting in 1903, he was employed as an elementary
school teacher in Balanga. Ten years later, he ran for vice mayor of
Orion together with mayoralty aspirant Francisco Calimbas of
Arellano. Both of them won and served until 1914.
Mayor Calimbas declined to run for another term and anointed
Urquisa as the partys official candidate. He even supported his
campaign. It was a successful bid and Urquisa reigned until 1916.
At the end of his term, Urquisa gave way to his partys new candidate for mayor, Donato, Mayor Calimbas own brother. Urquisa
returned to his teaching job and settled in Balanga with his family.
UY, Gregorio
GREGORIO SANTOS UY JR. (1965- ) was Orions representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan from November
1985 to July 1992 in his capacity as provincial federation president
of the Kabataang Barangay (KB) and later on, of the Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK). After his term as SK chairman, he ran and was
elected as provincial board member. He served from August 1992
to June 1998.
Jun Uy was born in Calungusan, Orion on September 1, 1965.
His parents were Gregorio Uy Sr., a former town councilor, and
Remedios Santos-Uy. He was barely 17 years old when he was
elected as president of the Orion-KB.
After winning as president of the KB provincial federation in
November 1985, he replaced Dominador Carunungan of Pilar, then
the ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. He was
VENEGAS, DOMINADOR N.
.also elected as Central Luzon regional president of the youth organization and even beat Herbert Bautista of Quezon City in the national election of the said organization. The 1986 EDSA Revolution,
however, prevented him from becoming a member of the House of
Representatives.
It was no less than former Governor Leonardo B. Roman who persuaded Uy to run for a board member position in 1992. Although Roman lost to another gubernatorial candidate Enrique T. Garcia Jr., the
amiable Jun Uy easily made it to the list of winning board members.
He won twice as board member, in 1995 and 1998. During this
period, he was able to complete his Bachelors degree in Commerce
at the Bataan Colleges. He also married Catherine Carmela Resurreccion of Balanga City with whom he had two children: Christian and
Vincent Gregorio.
Jun Uy became the campaign manager of Gov. Roman after his
third term expired in 2001. In the 2004 elections, he refused to make
a political comeback and instead, played the same role when Roman
ran for congressman of the Second District in 2004. Unfortunately,
Roman lost to former Balanga City Mayor Albert S. Garcia.
Uy is involved in several business ventures he himself established.
Jun Uy, third from left, front row,

with Gov. Ding Roman and other
political stalwarts of Bataan
Vv
VENEGAS, Dominador N.
DOMINADOR NAVAL VENEGAS (1921-2005) was the congressman of the Second Congressional District of Bataan from 1992 to
1995.
Cong. Venegas, a native of Lati, Orion, was born on August 8,
1921. He finished a Commerce degree in Manila and put up the Far
Eastern Diesel Parts and Supply Company which supplies machine
and spare parts to light and heavy equipment companies, as well as
the shipping industry. Before reaching the age of 40, Venegas was
already a successful businessman. In fact, he was one of the biggest
taxpayers in the country. Surprisingly, he chose to pay his taxes in
Bataan which somehow helped the financial standing of Bataan. Local government officials wrote to him regularly urging him to pay
his taxes in a particular municipality.
Cong. Venegas was already 70 years old when he decided to enter the local political scene. He ran for a seat in Congress in 1992
against Pablo Roman, Jr. of Pilar and Norberto Gonzales of Balanga
City. It was the time when the incumbent Congressman Enrique T.
Garcia Jr. ran for the gubernatorial post against Leonardo B. Roman.
Venegas and Garcia won at the polls.
As congressman, Cong. Venegas used most of his pork barrel
funds for major infrastructure projects in his district, most notable of
which were the Bilolo access road, the Mariveles Circumferential
Road and the towns covered auditorium.
In 1995, Venegas ran for re-election but was outpolled by Enrique
Garcia Jr. He immediately filed a protest in court. When the court
decided in favor of Garcia, Venegas gave up politics and enjoyed his
retirement from business and government affairs.
He passed away in January 2005 at the age of 84.
Dominador Venegas
Congressman, 1992-1995
Dominador N. Venegas
was married to Nenita Mendoza
of Bulacan. He had four children: Melody, Ramoncito, Dominador Jr. and Marilou
169
VILLA ANGELES
Villa Angeles
MAP OF ORION
Villa Angeles
Area: 8.31 hectares
Barangayhood: Feb. 4, 1972
Fiesta: May 8
Gateway of Villa Angeles
Barangay hall of Villa Angeles

Leticia O. Angeles
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Alfredo E. Seeckts Jr.
Michael G. Tico
Virgilio C. Angeles
Rodrigo A. dela Cruz
Susan L. Elacion
Elvira B. Factoran
Edgar Allan Bagtas
Jerome P. Factoran (SK)
Reynaldo Manzo, Norma Austria, Rene Durago, Antonio
Federigan, Turing Cruz, Rosalina Quicho, Arturo Angeles,
Melanio Reyes, Ciriaco Danetaras, Melanio Reyes
170
VILLA ANGELES was formerly an agricultural land partly belonging

to Wakas and Capunitan. It is bounded on the north by Lati and Lusungan, on the south and west by Wakas, and on the east by Capunitan.
The barangay measures 8.31 hectares and presently inhabited by 1,605
people.
It was in the 1960s when the wealthy and influential Angeles family
who owned the land, developed it into a subdivision. In time, it became
a plushy community even though there were only few asphalted roads
which easily eroded during rainy seasons. Streets and access roads were
marked with pot holes. Still, middle-income families and even the moneyed ones readily bought housing lots in the area.
Villa Angeles was turned over to the municipal government on October 27, 1966. Former Mayor Gabriel L. Manrique initiated the construction of new concrete roads inside and around the subdivision.
Former municipal councilor Alfred T. Seeckts, a resident of Villa
Angeles spearheaded the move to change the status of the subdivision
into a regular barangay. The formal creation of Barangay Villa Angeles
was approved by the provincial government on February 4, 1972, during the administration of Governor Efren B. Pascual and Mayor Gabby
Manrique.
More infrastructure projects were completed in Villa Angeles during
the administration of former Congressmen Tet Garcia and Dominador
Venegas. These projects include concrete streets and access roads,
barangay hall, health center, day care center, playground and plaza,
street lights and much improve drainage systems.
Present Villa Angeles is a far cry from the barangay it was from fifteen years ago.
WAKAS
WAKAS is one of the earliest periphery barangays of Orion. It
was established during the Spanish era and initially known as
Barangay de Hipolito dela Cruz, in honor of its first cabeza de
barangay.
The barangay has a total land area of 14.29 hectares. It is
bounded on the north by Lati, on the south by Daan Pare, on the
east by Capunitan and Villa Angeles, and on the west by Daan
Bilolo. Wakas used to be the biggest barangay situated south of
San Vicente River . Daan Bilolo was formerly a part of Wakas.
Villa Angeles, about half of it, also belonged to Wakas before
the place was turned into a subdivision in the 1960s.
It was Governor Gregorio Quicho who established Wakas as
a regular barangay in 1928. It was again recognized as a new
barangay on July 24, 1961 after its new boundaries were established. Wakas remains a residential and commercial community. Some 950 people reside in the barangay based on the 2000
Census.
Ww
Wakas
Area: 14.29 Hectares
Population: 950 (2000 Census)
Barangayhood: 1928/1921
Fiesta: May 8
Patron: St. Michael
River: Lucong River
School: None
Places of Interest:
Unknown Heroes Monument
MAP OF ORION
Entrance to Wakas
Lucong River is the primary river tributary of Wakas. The

barangay has a social hall and a day care center but no elementary school. Children enroll at Orion Elementary School which is
just a stone throw away.
Wakas used to host of the post-war public market of Orion.
The site is presently occupied by the St. Michael Hospital.
Wakas

Carmelita Q. Celindro
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Manuel E. Cruz
Amalia L. Angeles
Roberto A. Alonzo
Alfredfo Q. Galvez
Roberto M. Bautista
Luningning C. Teodoro
Loida Santos
Jomald Igaloy (SK)
Former PunongBarangay
Victorio Quicho
Juan Quicho
Teodoro Guzman
Wakas barangay hall

and monument at left.
171
WAR
FOREWORD. Years before the advent of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur and the
United States Army in the Philippines had already prepared a plan to defend Manila. The defense
called War Plan Orange consisted of fortifying Corregidor and the satellite islands of Cavite and
Bataan. Such plan would deny any enemy the use of Manila Bay and its strategic ports. Bataan was
picked as the ideal site for a long defensive stand. They knew that as long as Bataan was in the U.S.
hands, no enemy would be able to capture Manila. Here is a chronology of events before and during World War II.
1941
December 08
December 09
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, right
December 9, 1941. At 6 a.m.,

the Japanese Air Force launch
heavy aerial attacks on Manila,
Nielson and Nichols Airbases
and the 16th Naval Base in
Cavite City and Sangley Point.
At 9 a.m., the United States
(US) Asiatic Fleet move to Dutch
East Indies.
December 10
December 11
December 12
December 22
December 24
Attack on Pearl Harbor
- The Japanese Navy and Air Force attack Pearl Harbor (at
2 a.m., Manila Time). At 4 a.m., a 490-strong Japanese assault team land on Batan, Batanes to secure an airbase. At
5:00 a.m., the City of Baguio and Davao are bombed by the
Japanese Air force. At 12 noon, Clark Field in Pampanga is
also bombed. Fiesta revelry in Puerto Rivas, Balanga come
to a stop at noon. Visitors go home in a hurry.
- Orion residents experienced total blackout. They heard
bombings coming from distant locations through the
night.
- At 4 a.m., 4,000 Japanese soldiers known as the Kanno
and Tanaka detachments, land in Vigan, Ilocos Sur and
Aparri, as well as in Gonzaga, Cagayan.
- News of the Japanese landings force the residents of
Orion to store foods. Many families start to take their
valuables to the mountains. They also begin constructing
huts in the area. They stay away from the town during the
day and only return at night. Others prepare their bancas
to cross Manila Bay towards Hagonoy, Bulacan.
- The USAFFE North Luzon Force is mobilized to guard
beach positions from Pangasinan, to Ilocos region, Aparri
and Cagayan Valley.
- At 6 a.m., the 2,500-strong Kimura detachment lands in
Legaspi, Albay.
- General Douglas MacArthur orders his division commanders to strengthen their respective beach positions.
- At 4 a.m., the main Japanese invasion force known as the
48th Division under the command of Lt. General Yuichi
Tsuchibashi, lands along the coast of Lingayen Gulf, Pangasinan; and in Agoo, Santo Tomas, and Bauang, La Union.
- At 6 a.m., the Japanese 16th Division lands in Tayabas,
Atimonan, and Mauban, Quezon. These towns are captured
before noontime despite the strong defense put up by the
South Luzon Force.
- At noon, General MacArthur informs his commanders that
War Plan Orange 3 is in effect. He activates the Bataan
Defense Force, under the command of General Parker.
- At 10 p.m., General Parker reaches Balanga, and acquires
the 57th Infantry Regiment (Phil. Scouts), 31 and 41st Divisions and small units already in Bataan. Mass evacuation of
civilians to Mariveles has began.
- At 11 p.m., MacArthur and President Manuel L. Quezon
reach Corregidor Island and stay there.
- The first batch of USAFFE soldiers led by Gen. Vicente
Lim arrives and occupies Abucay, with Laon and Gabon
used as headquarters.
- General Jonathan Wainwright and his North Luzon Force..
st
USAFFE trucks bound for Bataan
172
December 25
WAR
December 27
December 28
Decmeber 30
December 31
.leave Urdaneta, and head towards Bataan.

-Wainwright establishes the San Miguel, TarlacCabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Defense Line. Meanwhile, American and Filipino soldiers start arriving in Balanga. Japanese planes drop bombs in Balanga and other parts where
soldiers are concentrated.
- The South Luzon Force under General Jones, abandons
the defense lines in Lipa City, Tiaong (Quezon), and Luisiana (Laguna) and proceeds to Calumpit, Bulacan.
- Japanese planes drop bombs along the coastal towns,
from Abucay to Limay.
- Two Japanese forces from Pangasinan and Laguna reach
Baliuag, Bulacan and engage the defenders in fierce encounters.
Japanese tank enters battle zone.
A destroyed bridge in Calumpit. Bulacan
American soldiers dismantle a cannon as the enemy approaches.
1942
January 01
January 02
January 04
January 06
- Wainwright deploys the 21st Division along the AngelesPorac-Lubao road; the 11th Division along the San Fernando
-Guagua-Lubao road.
- Residents of Orion continue their daily chore, staying
away from the town during the day and returning only at
night. USAFFE soldiers start arriving in town. Meanwhile, civilians in Orani, Samal, Abucay and Balanga are
ordered by the USAFFE to evacuate or move five kilometers away from the town center.
- After several bombings and repeated attacks by the Japanese, the Guagua-Porac defense line is abandoned.
- That same day, the Hermosa-Dinalupihan Defense Line is
established. It is placed under the responsibility of ther 71st
Division, the 31st Regiment and the 26th US Cavalry. But
after two days of bombings by the Japanese, the line is
abandoned.
- The 26th Cavalry is cut off but is able to rejoin the main
force in Balanga after three days of pushing through jungle
trails from Hermosa to Abucay. The following day, the
Japanese arrive in Palihan.
- Wainwright activates the I and II Corps and the Service
Command Area. A line is drawn from the peak of Mount
Natib down to Mount Mariveles. Continued Japanese
bombings set Balanga on fire. Corregidor is also subjected
to heavy air raids.
Hermosa-Dinalupihan Line
was an informal defense line put
up by USAFFE on January 4,
1942. After two days of bombings, the line is abandoned. A
new defense line is established
in Mabatang, Abucay.
Civilian evacuees and wounded

soldiers in Mariveles hospital.
173
WAR
Top photo: Manila is declared an

Open City; right photos, soldiers in
foxholes; soldiers prepare communication equipment.,
January 07
January 08
ABUCAY DEFENSE LINE

is established in Mabatang, Abucay starting on January 6, 1942.
It starts from the Abucay coastline and all the way up to the
peak of Mount Natib. Another
line starts from the top of Mount
Silanganan and ends on the
beaches of Morong. The line is
subjected to heavy bombings
starting on January 8.
The Japanese suffers heavy
casualty while trying to break
through the defense line in Mabatang.
The line breaks down on
January 12 and the defenders
retreat to Abucay Hacienda.
January 11
January 12
January 14
January 15
Janaury 16
January 17
January 20
January 22
Soldiers prepare a pontoon bridge.
Japanese invading forces

enter a town in Bataan.
174
January 23
- The Japanese column reaches Samal.

- The 200,000-strong Japanese Army begins attacking the
Abucay-Morong Defense Line, starting from Barangay Mabatang. The Japanese, suffers heavy casualties during the
next five days of fightings.
- The line from the coastal area up to Mabatang hills is
abandoned. The Japanese advances to Calaylayan and the
town proper of Abucay and burns all houses to the ground.
Laon and Calaylayan are spared. The enemy kills many
civilians.
- The USAFFE soldiers retreat to the Hacienda Hills area.
- The Japanese attacks the 41st and 51st Divisions camped
near the Hacienda Hills. The 41st Division defends its
ground but the 51st Division abandons its major battle positions.
- The 31st Division from Bagac is sent to reinforce the Abucay Line but gets lost in the Guitol forest. The 45th and the
31st Infantry Regiments try to help and succeed in restoring
some portions of the Abucay line, at the foot of Mount
Natib.
- A Japanese official, Lt. Col. Kuro Kitamura, commits
suicide (hara-kiri) in Sitio Binlok, San Juan, Samal, for his
failure to capture the Abucay-Morong line in three days.
- Some groups of Japanese from Olongapo are able to penetrate the jungles of Sabang, near Mount Silanganan and set
up a road block at Mauban Bridge in Morong.
- The Eastern Japanese Regiment crosses the Salian River
and gets into position to strike at the rear of the 41st Division and the 57th Infantry Regiment. But the Japanese gets
lost inside the Bani-Guitol forest area.
- The arrival of the Japanese in Mauban, Morong from
Olongapo is discovered. Wainwright orders the 71st and the
91st Divisions, and the 2nd PC Regiment to attack the Japanese. But the enemy is already too strong to be pushed
back.
- Still another Japanese group lands at the Lapiay Point in
Mariveles.
WAR
January 24
January 25
January 26
January 27
- At midnight, the USAFFE had a hand-to-hand combat

with the Japanese in the Hacienda Hills. As the AbucayMorong is finally abandoned, the USAFFE quickly withdraws from the Southern Sector of the Abucay-Morong
Defense Line.
- The Japanese sentry at Mauban, Morong forces the defenders to use the coastal trails leaving their organic vehicles
and supporting artilleries.
- The II Corps move back to Orion; the I Corps settle in
Bagac. Residents of Orion move to the Mamala River
area. Others cross Manila Bay and proceed to Pampanga
and Bulacan.
- The Orion-Bagac Defense Line is established. The Pantingan-Mount Mariveles Line is also set up. Meanwhile, the
Japanese are able to penetrate through the Gogo-Cotar and
Tuol Rivers.
- USAFFE elements engage the Japanese in the Gogo-Cotar
River Valley. Another Japanese group attacks the Capot
Hill area. In a week, elements of the 31st, 32nd, 41st Infantry
Regiments, the 51st RCT and 31st Engineering Battalion
counter the attacks.
American soldiers salute as the flag is lowered after the surrender of Bataan
January 29
January 30
January 31
February 01
February 13
February 17
February 18
- The 300-Japanese in Lapiay Point are annihilated by the

elements of the US Air Force, US Naval Battalion, 2nd Antitank Battalion and the 57th Infantry Regiment.
- A bigger Japanese force lands at Quinawan, Bagac. The
USAFFE launches a counter-attack and annihilate one Japanese regiment.
- Wainwright orders the reinforcement of the 31st Division
defending the Capot Hill.
- The USAFFE routs the Japanese force in the Capot HillLiyang area.
- The USAFFE wins the Battle of Points in Bagac.
- The Battle of Pockets is terminated. General Brougher
relieves General Jones due to the latters illness.
- There is lull in fighting. The Japanese Air Force, which at
the start of the invasion was busy in aerial attacks, is now
out of the picture. The Japanese High Command has withdrawn the Air Force out of the Philippines. The period of
lull was characterized by a battle of propaganda.
- General Masaharu Homma, by his own admission during
the trial, said that as commanding general of the Japanese
Army engaged in the Battle of Bataan, he was very worried
that should the USAFFE starts pushing them back, he could
have lost the war as one-third of his 16th Division have succumbed to diseases and have become battle casualties.
General Masaharu Homma

a top military officer during
World War II, admitted during
his trial for his war crimes as
commanding general of the
Japanese Army engaged in the
Battle of Bataan that he was
very much worried should the
USAFFE starts pushing them
back. He added that he could
have lost the war as one-third of
his 16th Division have already
succumbed to diseases and
have become battle casualties.
Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita conquers

Singapore on February 15, 1942.
175
WAR
February 20
March 12
March 20
March 21
USAFFE soldiers jump out of their

bunker to meet the enemy.
March 22
April 01
April 03
April 04
April 05
FilipinoAmerican troops bound to
Bataan
Spoils of war
As the Japanese advances toward Orion, the USAFFE blows
up two bridges in town: Tulay
Gitna and Tulay na Bato. The
two bridges were repaired by the
United States Army Construction
Corps after the Liberation.
April 06
April 07
April 08
April 09
Gen. Edward King, center, signs the

surrender documents in Balanga.
April 10
The start of Death March
176
- Civilians camped in Cabcaben, Mariveles are allowed to

return to their homes. Only a few Orion residents returned
despite repeated calls from the Japanese.
- MacArthur leaves Corregidor for Australia.
- One infantry division arrives in the Philippines as reinforcement from Japan, complete with war supplies like artillery and airplanes.
- Wainwright is promoted to Lt. General and takes over
the command of the US Armed Forces in the Philippines
(USAFIP). The I Corps is given to General Jones.
- The Japanese begins another saturated bombing of Corregidor.
- General Homma orders a new artillery fire and saturation
bombings of Mount Samat and its surroundings to celebrate
the founding of the Japanese Empire.
- The Japanese attacks Mount Samat.
- The Japanese captures the northern part of Mount Samat.
Casualty is heavy on both sides.
- The Japanese reaches the top of Mount Samat and uses it
as observation post.
- The Japanese starts using Balanga Elementary School as
garrison. The schoolground and the vacant lot in Ibayo
(where the present INC church stands) are used as POW
concentration camps. One Major Tanaka is assigned as garrison commander of Balanga Elementary School. Lt. Kanashiro is his intelligence officer and interpreter. Meanwhile,
the corner lot near the Balanga Cathedral is used as an office of the Japanese Army.
- The Japanese attack the remaining Orion Defense Line.
Meanwhile, the defenders prepare another line along the
Mamala River in Limay knowing that the USAFFE will
soon abandon the Orion Line. Both lines are abandoned
at noon.
- The Alangan Defense Line is established. In the afternoon,
it also collapses.
- The Lamao Defense Line is established but immediately
abandoned.
- At 9:30 a.m., emissaries of General Edward P. King are
sent to the Japanese line to negotiate for a truce.
- At 11 a.m., General Bluemel establishes the Cabcaben
Defense Line but it is no longer necessary.
- At 10 a.m., Wainwright tries from Corregidor to contact
General King but fails. He merely wants to ask King to rescind his offer of surrender.
- At 12:30 p.m., General King proceeds to Lamao Agricultural Experimental Station and surrenders to Col. Motoo
Nakayana, a representative of General Homma.
- At 12:45, King is finished signing documents of surrender.
- General King and some American officials are brought to
the Balanga Elementary School where he signs the final
surrender documents.
- At 10 a.m., the infamous Death March start from
Mariveles and Bagac. Civilians walk home alongside the
soldier-prisoners.
WAWA
View of Wawa from the sea
Wawa
WAWA was established as a regular barangay on July 24, 1961

together with Lati, Daan Bago and Wakas. At that time, the
barangay only has a land area of four hectares, about the size of
Barangay Arellano. It gained land mass in the early 1980s after a
reclamation project was implemented in the area. The reclaimed
land, about three hectares, was immediately distributed to several landless residents of Orion. Gradually, the population of
the barangay increased.
The barangay is situated at the mouth of San Vicente (Orion)
River which explains how it got its name. It is bounded on the
north by Balut, on the south by Daan Bago, on the east by Manila Bay and on the west by Bagumbayan and San Vicente
River. It covers a total land area of 7.07 hectares and inhabited
by 1,752 people.
Mayor Gabriel Manrique who initiated the dredging of the
San Vicente River and the coastal area of Wawa also established
the Pablo Roman Elementary School, a complete learning institution, for the children of the barangay and neighboring villages.
About 8,508 square meters of reclaimed land was appropriated
for the said school.
The present Wawa is one of the most developed barangays in
Orion.
MAP OF ORION
Wawa
Area: 7.07 hectares
Fiesta: May 8
Patron: Mother of Perpetual Help
School: Pablo Roman
Elementary School
Places of Interest:
Coastline, fishport
Felix V. dela Cruz
Punong Barangay
Kagawad
Florencio de Leon Jr.
Benito V. Joco Jr.
Eduardo M. Labrador
Jesus B. Muceros
Henry B. Duliente
Renato B. Cabral
Ernesto L. Adriano
Rex Joseph Fuster (SK)
Rufino Quicho
Nicanor Buhay
Benjamin Recoter
Jose Gabriel
Barangay officials and tanods of

Wawa
177
Xx
Precious Metal
Golden Buddha
Yy
Rex Joseph R. Fuster, SK Chairman
178
X
X marks the spot.
Treasure-hunting is a continuing craze in Orion. It is one of the
most exciting adventures ever experienced by man because of the
promise of instant wealth. It explains why local and visiting treasure hunters regularly come to Orion looking for buried treasures.
All of them carried an old maps with the regular X on them. A
successful digging means gold, silver, old money and all the glitters that come with it.
Gold or treasure hunting is not a new occupation. Immediately
after World War II, someone or a group visited Orion to dig for
buried treasures. Armed with shovels, metal detectors and maps,
hunters spent days and sometimes months digging holes in places
where treasures were supposedly buried during the intense fightings in Bataan during the last war.
Hunters believed that American and Japanese soldiers had the
time to bury the treasures while the battles were going on in various places in Bataan, especially in Orion. They were convinced
that the maps they were carrying were genuine and could bring
them fabulous wealth.
Treasure hunters worked clandestinely while digging for treasures. They dig only at night in open fields. But when the site is
secluded, operation is done continuously, 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
There have been many stories about successful diggings in
Orion. Their stories also contained tales of booby traps, poisonous
gases and even ghosts and spirits guarding the buried treasures.
Even at present, at least a couple of treasure hunters operate in
Orion in any given day.
Youth
The YOUTH of Orion, aged 15 to 18 years old, account for more

than 25 percent of the present distribution of the population. Just
like the Senior Citizens group, the youth were given the opportunity to maximize their contributions to nation-building. As early as
1975, they were already given the good fortune to participate in
the affairs of the local government through the formation of the
Kabataang Barangay (formerly KB, now SK or Sangguniang Kabataan).
ZARZUELA
Each barangay in Orion has an SK organization composed of
a chairman, seven members, a secretary and a treasurer. They
promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out their objectives.
They initiate programs which will enhance the social, political,
economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual and physical development of the members.
To ensure smooth implementation of the SK programs, they
consult and coordinate with all the members in the barangay,
municipal, provincial and national levels for policy formulation.
The current youth organization in Orion has the following
officials:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Auditor
PRO
Sgt. At Arms
Rex Joseph R. Fuster

Jason S. Guzon
Laarni D. Roxas
Cecille Medrano
Jonald D. Igaloy
Kristine Joy D. Baluyot
Ricardo Buado
Wawa
Calungusan
Camachile
Lati
Wakas
San Vicente
Sabatan
Zarzuela
ZARZUELA is an art form which captured the hearts and minds

of the Filipinos during the later years of the Spanish regime. It
was introduced by the Spaniards by the end of the 1870s. It was
used effectively as anti-American protest plays during the socalled era of suppressed nationalism (1901-1910).
The zarzuela is a three-act musical drama played live on
stage. There were songs within the drama. The dialogue deviated
from the usual verses as in the comedia. It was everyday language that was used with a lot of idioms. Only the highlighted
values and moral lessons are in verses.
The first zarzuela was played in Manila by Spanish cast of a
Spanish musical drama. It was at its infancy stage when it caught
the fancy of the Filipinos. They found it extremely entertaining.
In time, Filipino writers were already composing their own musical dramas and even their musical scores. Severino Reyes,..
Other Barangay SK chairmen

Arellano
Bagumbayan
Balagtas
Balut
Bantan
Bilolo
Capunitan
Daan Bago
Daan Bilolo
Daan Pare
Gen. Lim
Lusungan
P. Buhangin
Sta. Elena
Sto. Domingo
Villa Angeles
Wakas
Jennylyn Velasco
Renan Jimena
Gladys Joy Angeles
Rodel H. Cruz
Charo Atienza
Rona Quicho
Daryl Cervantes
Abigail Gabriel
John Carlo Navarro
Yvette Crisotomo
Arvin Orieta
Carly Jean Cruz
Sunshine Agustin
Bobby Lopez
Neil Bantugan
Jerome Factoran
Juan dela Cruz
Zz
Big zarzuela productions were

common in Manila during the
early 1900s.Played live on stage,
the characters talked in verses and
a lot of idioms. The three-act musical drama became popular in
Bataan at the time when movies
with sound tracks invaded Manila.
179
ZARZUELA
...Aurelio Tolentino and Hermogenes Ilagan were the first Filipino zarzuela writers. This was in 1880 until 1910. Reyes masterpiece, Walang Sugat, was first staged on June 14, 1902 at the
Zorilla Theater in Manila. It was staged more than 500 times in
different stages all over the country by different zarzuela groups
for the next 30 years.
Zarzuela also became popular in Bataan at the time when
movies with sound tracks invaded Manila. Zarzuela made its
grand exit from the city scene and moved to the provinces where
the urban folk stuck it out with the art form they can relate. Mabatang, Abucay was the first to organize its stage group in the
late 1920s. Other groups followed. Hermosa had two dramatic
groups when zarzuela was at its peak.
Zarzuela is currently being revived

in many parts of the country.
Movies in Orion
MER Theater, owned and operated by Federico and Maria
Magat, opened in Orion in 1949.
Ticket costs 20 centavos per
person. It closed in 1959 after
the owner of the lot refused to
sell the property to the Magats.
Foreign artists, mostly Spaniards

and Europeans, are cast in big zarzuela productions.
180
Orion also had an organized zarzuela group, the Bela Dramatic Troupe, starting in 1930. It was founded by Benito Labandillo of Puting Buhangin who also wrote a script entitled Alibughang Magulang. He made use of the talented youth from all
over the town and had their gala performance at the Orion plaza
in May 1931. It was then Mayor Jose Baltazar who paid for the
expenses of the group in the absence of a major sponsor. Unfortunately, it was the first and last presentation of the dramatic
troupe. Manila-based zarzuela groups that once dominated the
entertainment circle in Orion during every town fiesta returned
and took control. La Dicha Cigarettes and La Tondena Incorporada, two entertainment establishments that employed zarzuela
talents continued their popularity along the eastern coastal towns
of Bataan. Comedians Dely Atay-atayan and Andoy Balunbalunan made their imprints among Orion audience.
Labandillo, wrote two more scripts, Budhing Mapag-imbot
and Masilaw but were never presented on stage.
During the revival period of Comedia and Moro-moro in the
1950s and 1960s, a local artistic group emerged from San
Vicente. It was managed by Florencio Magpoc who was also the
script writer and director. Stage performances were usually done
in the plaza during the feast of St. Michael the Archangel to the
accompaniment of the band.
ZIGZAG
Zigzag sign
The Daan Pare-Sta Elena portion of

the Bataan National Road has a gentle curve, not a zigzag
A ZIGZAG means to a line or course that turns left and right alternately at sharp angles. Bataan has four major thoroughfares
where zigzag exists. They are found in Dinalupihan (Roosevelt
area), Mariveles (Alas-asin), Morong (Mauban) and Pilar-Bagac
(from Pantingan to Atilano Ricardo).
Zigzag is absent in the entire length of the Roman Expressway traversing Orion. The same is true with the Bataan National
Road. The steep curve that lies in Barangay Sta. Elena does not
qualify as a zigzag. It is just an oblique road. Even the sharp
curve near the Orion-Limay boundary, immediately after the
Joriz Farm going to Limay, is a simple twisted road. These two
locations are far from the winding and tortuous zigzags found in
Mariveles, Morong and Dinalupihan.
Vehicular accidents usually occur on these sharp road curves.
Zigzag road
A gentle curve road in Datimpugad,

Daan Pare
Twisted road in Puting Buhangin
Vehicular accidents usually occur

on sharp curve roads.
181

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ACACIA

Other Acacia Trees

Young Aeta boys

Gina Valenton and Perlita Salonga

AETAS in Bataan were believed to have migrated from Asia to

Councilor Edward T. Seeckts, Chair

Mayor Raymundo Jr. left photo,

Top photo: Orions poultry and piggery industry

Angeles suffered another loss against the same Rodriguez in

Villa Angeles, the first subdivision in

RICARDO TIANGCO ANGELES (1917- ) was Orions 22nd

ARELLANO is a barangay in the town proper of Orion. It was

Barangay hall of Arellano

CAYETANO SIMPLICIO LONZON ARELLANO (1847-1920)

BACANI, TEODORO Bishop

Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani, DD, STD

BAGUMBAYAN is the barangay closest to Arellano. It grew

Former Punong Barangay

Top photo, interior of Bagumbayan: bottom photos, barangay hall

New structures dot the length of Barangay Balagtas

Balagtas is bounded on the north by Sto. Domingo, on the

BALMASEDA, JULIAN CRUZ

Julian Cruz Balmaseda

BALMASEDA, Julian Cruz

To honor Francisco Baltazar,

(a poem) Paalam sa Iyo (a song), Rodolfo at Rosamunda (a

BALTAZAR, PRIMITIVO Fr.

Luis L. Baltazar, first elected mayor

BALTAZAR, Primitivo Fr.

Father Tibong Baltazar also

Victor T. Baltazar was married

1898 Local Revolution

1898 Philippine Revolution

Balut barangay hall

Jail term for Baluyut

Abucay Rural Bank

Bataan Development Bank

Village Savings Bank

Despite the presence of three

A BANK is a place where people can deposit their money for

Another legend suggests that Bantan was derived from the

Former Punong barangay:

BANTAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Top photos, Grade pupils of

Former School Administrators

School caretaker Araceli A. Buenaventura, 3rd from left, and other

population of school children in Bantan, as well as Calungusan

Dr. Rolando Banzon

Dr. Banzon left the political scene

Atty. Vicente Banzon

Datu, early chieftain

Barangay officials join

Association of Barangay Councils of Orion, Bataan

In 1754, BATAAN was established as a regular province by

LAND OF VALOR, PEOPLE OF PEACE

Clockwise, Mount Samat, Montemar

Bataan is a strategic peninsula lying in the southwestern part

From 1901 to 2007

Enrique T. Garcia Jr.

From 1907 to 2007

World War II abolished Congress (1942-1946).

Antonino Roman Jr.

Antonino Roman Jr.